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Photographic 

Sciences 
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J 


V 


SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS, 
Foundress  of  the  Congi*egation  of  Notre  Dame, 

ESTABLISHED  IN  MONTREAL,  CANADA,  1669. 


THE 


L.IFE   OF 


VENERABLE  SISTER 


MARGARF/r  BOURGEOIS, 


FOlJNr        -S  Of  •  '  RRS  OF  THE 

CO  'lATiON  OJ'   N    -{IT  DAMl^. 


Estabiisktd  at  Montreal,  Canada^  ^^3^' 

Trmmslated  from  the  French 
BY    A     RELIGIEUSE, 


NEW  YORK: 

D.  &  J:  SADIJEK  &  CO..  PUBLISHERS, 

31  BAKCi^Y  STREET. 


Iv^M). 


S; 


■»*t--W4t 


?*fo$ie  Damn 


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' 


THE 


LIFE   OF 


VENERABLE  SISTER 


MARGARET  BOURGEOIS, 


FOUNDRESS  OF  THE  SISTERS  OF  THE 
CONGREGATION  OF  NOTRE  DAME. 


Established  at  Montrealy  Canaday  l6^g. 

Translated  from  the  French 

BY    A    RELIGIEUSE, 

OSDAR  RAFIDS,  IOWA. 


NEW  YORK: 

D.  &  J.  SADLIER  &  CO..  PUBLISHERS, 

31  BARCLAY  STREET. 

1886. 


Copyright,  i88a 
By  D.  &  J.  SADLIER  &  CO. 


h 


^-0   0^ 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 


Having  read  a  French  edition  of  the  Life  of  Venera- 
ble Sister  Bourgeois,  published  in  1818,  the  translator  of 
the  present  work  was  so  charmed  by  itj  perusal  that 
she  resolved  on  rendering  it  into  English  for  the  spir- 
itual edification  of  others. 

Many  years  ago  the  work  of  translation  was  com- 
menced, but  from  some  preventing  cause  or  other,  was 
as  oftep  laid  aside.  Yet  the  idea  of  presenting  it  to 
the  public  remained,  as  no  English  Version  of  Sister 
Bourgeois'  life  exists,  at  least  in  the  United  States. 

Therefore  determining  at  last  to  obey  an  impulse  of 
long  standing,  the  scattered  translation  sheets  have 
been  prepared  for  publication,  with  the  humble  hope 
that  the  reader  may  derive  as  much  benefit  from  their 
perusal  as  did  the  writer. 

In  this  age  of  miscellaneous  and  corrupt  literature, 
when  people  cf  every  condition  of  life  are  literally 
devouring  irreligious  magazines  and  serials,  it  surely 
cannot  be  amiss  to  add  another  volume  to  the  already 
rich  store  of  our  libraries  in  order  to  help  roll  back  the 
torrent  of  universal  depravity  that  threatens  the  nzin 
of  our  beloved  country,  and  also  to  place  before  the 

ill 


IV 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE, 


minds  of  the  young,  the  glorious  example  of  one  of 
God's  heroines. 

The  Second  Centennial  of  Sister  Bourgeois'  advent  to 
America  is  already  past,  and  more  than  a  hundred  years 
before  the  Declaration  of  Independence^  was  she  labor- 
ing in  the  cause  of  humanity  for  the  glory  of  God  In 
the  New  World. 

If  reading  the  lives  of  such  women  as  Mrs.  Seton — 
a  Protestant  American  lady,  who  after  her  conversion 
to  the  Catholic  Church  in  Italy  so  burned  with  the  love 
of  God,  as  to  return  to  her  native  land  in  her  early 
widowhood  to  form  a  flourishing  religious  sisterhood 
in  New  York;  of  Nano  Nagle,  an  Irish  aristocrat,  who 
turned  from  a  useless  fashionable  life  to  the  lowly  spirit 
of  the  gospel  on  seeing  the  poor  artizans  of  Paris 
crowding  to  early  Mass  in  the  Church  of  Notre  Dame 
before  beginning  their  daily  toil,  while  she  lolled 
weariedly  in  her  carriage  after  a  midnight  ball ;  heroic* 
ally  putting  her  hand  to  the  plough,  she  never  turned 
back,  and  left  behind  her  another  religious  Sisterhood 
in  Ireland  to  perpetuate  her  philanthropic  sanctity  :  of 
Catharirj  McAiiley,  who  receiving  from  her  adopted 
Protestant  parents  a  princely  fortune,  expended  every 
shilling  of  it  in  building  up  the  Order  of  Mercy,  one  of 
the  latest  and  most  flourishing  outposts  of  the  Church 
of  God  ;  of  St.  Jane  de  Chantal,  who  after  having  been 
tried  in  the  fire  of  affliction  for  years — founded  in  her 
advanced  widowhood  the  Order  of  the  Visitation,  under 
the  direction  of  St.  Francis  de  Sales — and  who  attained 
such  an  extraordinary  degree  of  perfection  as  to  be 
seen  ascending  to  heaven  like  a  luminous  meteor  after 
her  happy  death. 


■ 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE, 


If  the  perusal  of  the  lives  of  these,  and  a  host  of 
other  sainted  women,  such  as  the  Catholic  Church  alone 
can  produce,  has  filled  many  a  young  heart  with  high 
and  holy  aspirations — perhaps  the  contents  of  this 
little  volume  will  not  be  less  efficacious  for  the  glory 
of  God,  the  interests  of  religion,  and  the  salvation  of 
souls. 

A  literal  translation  has  been  adhered  to  as  far  as 
possible — one  or  two  remarkr.  at  the  close  being  the 
only  additions.  So  if  any  defects  exist  in  the  work 
they  belong  solely  to  the  translator,  whose  aim  has  not 
been  rhetorical  composition,  but  the  gi eater  glory  of 
God.  And  if  but  one  heart  be  won  more  closely  to  the 
knowledge  and  love  of  Jesus  Christ  by  its  perusal,  she 
will  be  amply  repaid,  and  prays  that  the  blessing  of  the 
Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  may  be  given  to  her  humble 
effort  to  advance  His  honor  and  glory. 

Respectfully,  The  Authoress. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  PACK 
The  Discovery  of  Canada  and  Colonization  of  Mon- 
treal  9 

CHAPTER  II. 
Messrs.  Dauversiere  and  de  Maisonneuve  visit  Mon- 
treal     as 

CHAPTER  III. 
Establishment  of  the  Hotel  Dieu — Ecclesiastical  ap- 
pointments for  Canada,  etc  .....        36 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Early  years  of  Margaret  Bourgeois  and  her  vocation 
FOR  the  Canadian  Mission 46 

CHAPTER  V. 
Margaret  Bourgeois,  after  many  trials  and  Mortifi- 
cations, AT  length  sails  WITH  M.  DE  MAISONNEUVS 

for  Canada .       ,61 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Sister  Bourgeois's  arrival  in  Canada       .        .        .       8a . 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Establishment  of  the  Sisters  of  the  Congregation  of 
Notre  Dame  at  Ville-Marie 89 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
M.  FRAN901S  DE  Laval  de  Montmorenci  is  appointed 
first  Bishop  of  Canada — Sister  Bourgeois  succeeds 
IN  Building  the  Church  of  Notre  Dame  .        .        ,  105 


CONTENTS. 

•  * 

CHAPTER  IX.  PAGE 

The  rules  of  the  Congregation  and  establishment  of 
Missions 134 

CHAPTER  X. 
The  Private  and  Social  Virtues  of  Sister  Bourgeois.  160 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Sister  Bourgeois's  happy  death  and  the  wonders  that 

FOLLOWED  it.  .  . I78 

CHAPTER  XII. 
The  Excellence  of  her  Institutes,  her  Maxims,  In- 
stitutions, ETC 200 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
A  recapitulation  of  the  Principal  Events  of  the  Life 
OF  Sister  Bourgeois 216 

Conclusion 24a 


'■.*,$i 


PAGE 
'OF 

>is.  160 

AT 
.    178 


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V     ■' 

<     •.''■( 


LIFE  OF  THE  VENERABLE 

SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


200 


F£ 
.    216 

24a 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE  DISCOVERY  OF  CANADA  AND  COLONIZATION 

OF    MONTREAL. 

Every  one  knows  that  America  is  called  the 
New  World  because,  until  the  close  of  the  15th 
century,  it  was  unknown  to  the  other  nations 
of  the  earth — at  least  it  was  then  unknown 
to  Europe.  Until  quite  near  the  end  of  that 
century,  Canada  was  absolutely  a  terra  incognita 
— being  one  vast  forest,  inhabited  only  by  the 
red  man,  and  by  beasts  as  wild  and  untamable  as 
he.  In  the  year  1534,  James  Cartier,  a  skilful 
navigator,  being  provided  with  a  commission 
from  the  King  of  France,  set  sail  from  St.  Malo, 
with  two  ships  of  sixty  tons  burden,  carrying  one 
hundred  and  twenty-two  well-equipprd  seamen, 
in  order  to  reconnoitre  that  part  of  the  New 

9 


lO       VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

World.  Cartier's  first  voyage  was  quite  success- 
ful. He  discovered  Canada  and  took  possession 
of  it,  in  the  name  of  the  French  King.  Having 
made  his  observations  from  the  different  posts 
which  surround  the  Gulf  that  receives  into  its 
bosom  the  waters  of  the  great  river  of  Canada, 
since  called  the  St.  Lawrence,  he  conversed  as 
well  as  he  could  with  the  savages,  whenever  an 
opportunity  offered,  in  order  to  study  their 
characters,  and  thought  he  occasionally  discov- 
ered in  them  dispositions  favorable  to  Chris- 
tianity. 

This  led  him  to  hope  that  the  King  would 
form  a  colony  in  the  country,  that  might  be 
equally  useful  to  commerce  and  religion.  He  ac- 
cordingly returned  to  France,  to  acquaint  his 
sovereign  with  his  projects  and  the  success  of  the 
expedition  that  inspired  them. 

His  plans  met  with  a  very  favorable  reception, 
and  were  immediately  acted  upon.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  received  a  new  commission  from  the 
King  and  three  well-appointed  ships,  several 
Breton  gentlemen  at  the  same  time  volunteering 
to  accompany  him.  They  left  the  port  of  St.  Malo 
on  the  3rd  of  May,  but  did  not  arrive  at  the 
Canadian  Gulf  until  the  loth  of  August.  This 
being  the  festival  of  St.  Lawrence,  they  called 
the  Gulf  by  the  Saint's  name,  in  thanksgiving  for 
their  safe  arrival.  Having  entered  the  river 
with  his  little  fleet,  he  sailed  as  far  as  the  Jacques 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS.       n 

Cartier  River,  so  named  in  his  honor.  Here  they 
landed,  and  tradition  says,  he  lost  one  of  his 
ships  at  this  place,  although  his  biographers 
make  no  mention  of  the  occurrence.  Perhaps 
the  vessel  was  stranded,  and  therefore  became 
useless.  But  whatever  accident  happened,  it  did 
not  cool  his  enterprising  spirit  in  the  least,  nor 
prevent  him  from  ascending  the  river  as  high  as 
the  Isle  of  Fochelagu  (the  present  city  of 
Montreal),  which  was  described  to  him  as  a  de- 
lightful place  by  the  savages  he  met  along  his 
route.  At  Lake  St.  Pierre,  three  leagues  above 
Three  Rivers,  he  failed  to  procure  material  to 
repair  his  ships,  and  was  compelled  to  leave 
them  there.  However,  he  manned  two  shallops 
and  embarked  on  them  with  the  bravest  of  his 
volunteers,  arriving  safely  at  Fochelagu  on  the 
2d  of  October.  Here  he  found  a  village  of 
savages  at  the  foot  of  a  mountain  (the  site  of 
the  City  of  Montreal  is  a  little  to  the  right  of 
that  old  Indian  village),  who  received  him  very 
kindly — and  he  completely  gained  their  friend- 
ship bv  making  them  various  little  presents.  He 
was  e. .chanted  by  the  situation  of  the  island,  and 
surprised  and  dazzled  by  the  beauty  of  the  scene 
that  presented  itself  to  his  view.  He  called  it, 
in  the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment,  Mont  Royal — 
since  corrupted  into  Montreal.  He  remained, 
however,  but  a  few  days,  as  the  season  was  ad- 
vancing, and  on  the  5th  of  October  set  out  to  rejoin 


1 2       VENERABLE  SIS  TER  MARGA  RET  BO  URGEOfS. 


his  fleet  and  return  to  Europe,  convinced  that  the 
beautiful  island  was  the  most  desirable  locality 
in  the  country  for  a  new  colony.  He  related  his 
success  a  second  time  at  the  French  court,  but 
as  all  attempted  discoveries  then  had  only  one 
object  in  view — viz.,  the  finding  of  gold  and 
silver — and  as  Cartier's  journal  of  discovery  made 
no  mention  of  the  precious  metals,  he  met  with  a 
very  cool  reception.  However,  in  1540  the  King 
deemed  it  advisable  to  appoint  Francis  de  la 
Roque  his  viceroy  and  Lieutenant-General  of 
Canada.  To  be  sure,  the  office  was  not  a  lucra- 
tive one — as  for  many  years  he  had  only  the 
woods  and  forests  to  govern,  and  though  bound- 
less wealth  lay  concealed  in  these  woods  and 
forests,  he  had  not  the  means  to  bring  it  forth. 
He  made  some  voyages  to  Canada  in  virtue  of 
his  appointment,  and  attempted  the  foundation 
of  a  few  colonies,  which  proved  sadly  unsuccess- 
ful, as  France,  being  then  occupied  with  domestic 
troubles,  seemed  to  have  forgotten  Canada.  It  ' 
was  not  until  1598,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  IV., 
when  a  commission  was  given  to  the  Marquis 
de  la  Roche — a  Breton  gentleman — (such  as  had 
been  given  to  Francis  de  la  Roque  more  than 
forty  years  before),  that  renewed  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  the  New  World  was  awakened.  This 
commission  f  ssly  provided  that  he  should 
have  chiefly  ..1  view  the  establishment  of  the 
Catholic  Religion  in  all  the  countries  under  his 


*i- 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


n 


jurisdiction.  He  received  no  assistance  from  the 
government,  however,  for  the  succe  t  of  the  en- 
terprise, and  it  therefore  failed,  like  the  preced- 
ing ones.  .        . 

These  successive  failures  damped  the  ardor  of 
the  French  court,  and  further  colonization  plans 
hung  trembling  in  the  balance.  But  during  the 
period  of  this  fluctuating  policy  several  naviga- 
tors and  merchants  of  Normandy,  Bretony,  and 
elsewhere,  sailed  up  the  St.  Lawrence  on  their 
own  account,  established  many  trading  posts,  and 
carried  on  a  sufficiently  lucrative  trade  with  the 
savages.  Their  mercantile  success  excited  the 
emulation  of  M.  Chai  .,  a  sea-captain,  who 
solicited  and  obtained  from  the  King  a  contin- 
uance of  the  commission  that  had  been  formerly 
granted  to  Lords  Roberval  and  de  la  Roche,  with 
the  additional  privilege  of  an  exclusive  trade 
in  furs.  The  subject  of  religion  did  not  trou- 
ble M.  Chauvin  very  much,  his  negative  Pro- 
testantism being  quite  satisfied  with  the  good 
things  of  this  life.  He  made  two  voyages — one  in 
1601,  the  other  in  1602 — realizing  great  wealth 
each  time,  but  died  while  preparing  for  a  third 
enterprise.  The  Commander  de  la  Chappe,  Gov- 
ernor of  Dieppe,  succeeded  him  in  1603,  having 
the  same  privileges  accorded  to  him  that  had 
been  bestowed  on  his  predecessors.  In  order  to 
extend  his  commercial  pursuits  he  formed  a  com- 
pany of  traders  and  other  persons  of  wealth  and 


i^-m. 


' 


H 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


\       "■ 


distinction.  They  prepared  a  considerable  fleet, 
entered  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  reconnoitered  the 
island  of  Montreal  a  second  time.  On  their  re- 
turn to  France  they  heard  with  regret  of  the 
death  of  de  la  Chappe,  and  learned  that  his  com- 
mission had  been  given  to  Pierre  Dugats,  a  Pro- 
testant gentleman,  but  an  honest  man,  who  in- 
tended in  good  faith  to  establish  the  Catholic 
Religion  according  to  the  articles  of  the  Commis- 
sion. But  God  had  not  chosen  any  of  these 
people  to  found  Montreal^  although  Pierre  Dugats 
continued  the  trading  association  formed  by  his 
predecessors,  and  increased  its  wealth  very  con- 
siderably, by  carrying  on  commerce  with  the 
principal  ports  of  France.  He  prepared  a  much 
,  more  considerable  fleet  than  any  that  had  been 
hitherto  attempted,  and  sailed  again  from  France 
in  1604.  Lord  Champlain  was  one  of  his  com- 
panions on  this  voyage,  which,  however,  accom- 
plished nothing  beneficial  for  France.  In  1608 
he  carried  into  effect  the  intentions  of  the  court 
by  establishing  a  permanent  colony  at  Quebec 
on  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  erecting  a  barrack  for 
its  security.  This  he  did  in  the  name  and  at  the 
expense  of  the  colony. 

Champlain  remained  there  through  the  winter 
to  prepare  ground  for  agriculture — but  in  the 
spring  of  1609  he  made  war  against  the  Iroquois, 
who  had  been  constantly  harrassing  the  military 
post  since  its  establishment.     He  pursued  them 


All ' 


^o/s. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


15 


ble  fleet, 
ered  the 
their  re- 

of  the 
tiis  com- 
;,  a  Pro- 
who  in- 
"athoh'c 
'ommis- 
f  these 
Dugats 

by  his 
ry  con- 
th  the 
I  much 
i  been 
i^rance 

com- 

ccom- 
1608 

court 
uebec 
for 

Lt  the 


inter 
the 
uois, 
Itary 
hem 


j 


as  far  as  Lake  Champlain,  to  which  he  gave  his 
name,  having  first  left  a  light  garrison  at  Quebec, 
and  in  the  autumn  returned  to  France.  About 
this  time  the  name  of  New  France  was  first  given 
to  Canada.  Champlain  returned  in  1610,  and 
visited  Montreal,  intending  to  establish  another 
colony  there.  But  Providence  had  other  designs 
in  view.  He  was  not  successful,  and  contented 
himself  with  building  a  few  huts  for  the  purpose 
of  trading  with  the  savages. 

The  death  of  Henry  IV.,  which  occurred  at  this 
time,  produced  a  great  change  in  the  affairs  of 
the  new  country.  The  commission  of  Governor 
of  Canada  was  transferred  from  M.  de  Monts 
to  Champlain,  by  the  Queen  Regent — who  also 
appointed  him  Lieutenant-General  to  the  Prince 
of  Cond6,  which  step  was  intended  to  pave  the 
way  for  his  additional  title  of  Viceroy  of  New 
France. 

Champlain  gave  quite  a  different  form  to  the 
Mercantile  Company  of  Canada,  and  by  his  in- 
fluence with  Cond6,  obtained  from  the  King  let- 
ters patent  and  many  new  privileges.  He  re- 
turned to  Canada  in  1614  with  a  goodly  number 
of  colonists,  and  also  a  few  R^collets  to  minister 
to  their  spiritual  wants.  Intending  to  pass  the 
summer  at  Montreal,  with  some  of  his  compan- 
ions for  the  purpose  of  trading  more  advanta- 
geously with  the  savages,  he  left  Quebec.  But 
again  his  plans  met  with  very  partial  success. 


i 


II 

!l  j 


il 


i:   I, 


!    -I 


'^    -.1    I: 


l6       VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

In  1620  the  Prince  of  Cond6  conferred  the 
viceroyalty  of  Canada  on  the  Mardchal  de  Mont- 
morenci,  his  brother-in-law,  who  in  turn  bestowed 
it  on  the  Duke  de  Ventadour,  his  nephew.  Until 
this  period  the  affairs  of  the  colony  had  been  en- 
tirely in  the  hands  of  Protestants,  who  sought 
nothing  but  material  wealth.  Everything  was 
languishing,  and  there  were  not  more  than  fifty 
persons  at  Quebec.  Some  Jesuit  Fathers  ar- 
rived this  year,  having  been  sent  over  to  assist  the 
R^coUets,  and  it  was  proposed  to  exclude  Pro- 
testants from  the  colony,  as  they  were  becoming 
more  numerous  than  was  convenient  for  a  Cath- 
olic settlement.  Cardinal  Richelieu,  then  minister 
of  France,  during  the  minority  of  Louis  XIII., 
lent  them  his  powerful  assistance  in  their  designs 
for  the  glory  of  God.  By  an  edict  dated  May, 
16.27,  given  at  the  camp  before  La  Rochelle,  all 
the  old  Commercial  Companies  of  Canada  were 
suppressed  and  dissolved,  new  ones  being  erected 
in  their  stead,  with  the  express  conditions  and 
stipulations  that  the  colony  was  to  be  exclusively 
French  and  Catholic,  that  the  new  company  should, 
at  its  own  expense,  support  a  sufficient  number 
of  priests,  and  that  agriculture  should  be  actively 
encouraged. 

His  majesty  empowered  the  company  to  make 
grants  of  land  throughout  the  whole  extent  of 
New  France,  in  such  proportions  and  with  such 
title-deeds,  as   they   deemed    most    prudent   for 


IS. 

ed  the 
Mont- 
stowed 
Until 
ien  en- 
sought 
ig  was 
in  fifty 
ers  ar- 
sist  the 
le  Pro- 
:oming 
1  Cath- 
linister 
XIII., 
'esigns 
May, 
le,  all 
a  were 
rected 
IS  and 
isively 
lould, 
umber 
tively 

make 
^nt  of 
such 
■it   for 


VENERABLE  SISTER  .dARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


17 


the  settlement  of  the  country.  He  gave  them 
also  the  exclusive  control  of  the  fur-trade,  par- 
ticularly that  of  the  beaver,  requiring  the  col- 
onists to  bring  this  kind  of  merchandise  to  the 
store-houses  of  the  company,  where  they  were  to 
receive  fixed  prices  for  it,  in  order  to  ensure  the 
success  of  the  colony  during  the  first  ten  years 
of  its  existence.  He  promised  to  all  classes  of 
persons,  no  matter  what  their  rank  or  condition 
of  life  might  be,  whether  ecclesiastics,  nobles, 
military  men,  or  others,  that  by  incorporating 
themselves  in  the  association  they  should  not  in 
any  case  forfeit  the  privileges  of  their  rank. 
The  Duke  de  Ventadour  resigned  his  viceroy- 
alty  to  the  French  minister,  and  Cardinal  Riche- 
lieu, with  M.  Mard'chal  d'Effiat,  were  named  the 
heads  of  the  Association.  Many  ecclesiastics 
and  seculars  at  once  became  members  of  the 
Society,  and  with  them  were  soon  incorporated 
several  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  enterprising 
merchants  of  the  kingdom.  But  while  the 
Company  was  being  thus  enthusiastically  formed 
in  France,  the  English  made  an  attack  on  Que- 
bec, and  the  effect  of  the  edict  was  suspended 
for  a  season.  The  King  came  almost  to  the 
conclusion  of  abandoning  Canada  forever,  as  he 
had  only  been  influenced  by  religious  and  honor- 
able motives  in  preserving  the  treaty  of  peace 
he  had  made  at  St.  Germain  in  1632.  The 
newly-formed  company,  in   this  predicament,  be- 


1 8      VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGA RET  BOUK  lEOTS. 


gan  to  assert  their  own  rights.  They  presented 
Champlain  to  the  king  as  the  man  best  suited  to 
their  wants,  and  his  Majesty  at  once  appointed 
him  Governor  of  New  France.  He  had  the 
command  of  several  well-appointed  ships,  and 
many  Jesuit  missionaries  offered  to  accompany 
him  to  labor  for  the  salvation  of  souls  in  the 
new  field  that  was  opened  to  them.  The  Asso- 
ciates decided  that  the  sons  of  St.  Ignatius 
would  be  more  useful  in  the  colony  than  the 
R^coUets,  who  complained  that  they  did  not 
find  suflficient  support  in  Canada,  and  who  had  in 
fact  left  it  for  a  time,  nor  did  they  return  until 
1670, when  the  colony  had  become  quite  populous. 
Champlain  died  at  Quebec  in  1635,  and  the  same 
year  the  Jesuits  of  New  France  began  to  build 
their  first  college.  The  following  year  Chevalier 
de  Montmagni  succeeded  Champlain  as  Governor 
of  Canada.  The  settlers  had  now  become  very 
numerous,  being  encouraged  by  their  trade  with 
the  new  company,  and  many  of  the  savages  had 
embraced  the  faith,  a  mission  having  been  opened 
for  them  at  Sillery,  near  Quebec.  France  again 
took  an  active  part  in  the  success  of  the  enter- 
prise, and  as  the  settlements  were  more  French 
than  Indian,  an  organization  for  a  hospital  was 
set  on  foot,  and  also  a  school  for  children.  The 
Duchess  d'Aiguillon  took  upon  herself  the  foun- 
dation of  the  Hotel-Dieu,  and  defrayed  the  en- 
tire expense  of  the  undertaking. 


•OIS. 

resented 
luited  to 
:)pointed 
lad    the 
ips,  and 
:ompany 
s  in  the 
le  Asso- 
Ignatius 
han  the 
did    not 
10  had  in 
urn  until 
opulous. 
he  same 
to  build 
hevalier 
overnor 
me  very 
ide  with 
iges  had 
opened 
e  again 
e  enter- 
French 
tal  was 
The 
ie  foun- 
the  en- 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


19 


1 


She  sent  over  some  experienced  Hospital  Sisters 
from  the  hospital  at  Dieppe, who  were  glowing  with 
zeal  for  the  New  World  missions — Madame  de  la 
Pelleterie,  a  rich  young  widow  of  high  birth,  under- 
took at  the  same  time  the  establishment  of  the  Ur- 
sulines,  consecrating  herself  also  to  the  good  work. 
She  was  ably  seconded  by  the  celebrated  Sister 
Mary  of  the  incarnation,  and  Sister  Mary  of  St. 
Joseph,  whom  she  brought  from  the  Ursuline 
Monastery  at  Bourges.  All  these  pious  women  met 
at  Dieppe  in  1639,  and  thence  set  sail  for  New 
France,  arriving  the  same  year  at  Quebec. 

Yet,  notwithstanding  the  philanthropic  exer- 
tions of  so  many  holy  people,  the  colony  was  back- 
ward and  languishing.  The  cruel  and  cease- 
less attacks  of  the  Iroquois  had  nearly  disheart- 
ened the  Christian  world,  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren being  mercilessly  butchered,  burnt  alive,  or 
carried  into  a  still  more  horrible  captivity.  But 
Divine  Providence  remedied  this  terrible  state 
of  affairs,  by  means  not  naturally  looked  for,  and 
which  in  the  commencement  seemed  not  only 
foolhardy,  but  little  suited  to  the  end.  Yet  a 
very  special  providence  was  visibly  at  work,  in  a 
chain  of  events  that  were  altogether  miraculous, 
as  the  sequel  proved.  A  new  colony  was 
founded  at  Montreal,  which  was  intended  as  a 
barrier  against  the  inroads  of  the  savages,  and  of 
which  it  will  be  necessary  to  speak  a  little  in  ad- 
vance.    While  the  French  seemed  to  be  taking 


nil 


20 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


an  enthusiastic  interest  in  the  colonization  of 
Canada — partly  from  political  motives,  partly 
from  individual  and  and  private  interest,  and 
partly  from  zeal  for  the  spread  of  religion  and 
the  conversion  of  the  Indians,  Almighty  God 
was  quietly  preparing  a  number  of  pious  persons 
who  would  have  His  glory  really  at  heart.  The 
first  to  whom  He  was  pleased  to  manifest  His 
designs,  was  Jerome  le  Royer,  Receiver-General 
of  the  King's  domains.  This  gentleman  was  an 
exemplary  Christian,  and  quite  remarkable  for 
his  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin.  It  would 
appear  that  God  had  specially  chosen  him  for 
the  accomplishment  of  the  work  we  are  going  to 
relate,  and  that  the  glorious  Virgin  herself  had 
revealed  to  him  the  means  by  which  he  would 
succeed,  as  he  rendered  the  greatest  assistance 
to  Sister  Bourgeois  in  after  years,  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  her  Congregation.  Although  he  had 
never  been  in  Canada,  nor  had  ever  seen  the  isle 
of  Montreal,  he  had  a  supernatural  and  distinct 
knowledge  of  it,  and  knew  it  better  than  its 
present  inhabitants.  It  was  a  vision  that  he  never 
lost  sight  of,  and  he  felt  confident  he  would  ob- 
tain from  the  king  the  proprietorship  of  the 
island,  in  order  to  consecrate  it  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  and  build  a  city  on  it,  which  he  intended 
to  call  Ville-Marie  (City  of  Mary).  The  aim  of 
all  his  enterprises  and  hopes  of  the  future  cen- 
tered in  one  grand  idea,  viz.,  the  propagation  of 


SOIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


21 


:ation   of 

3,    partly 

rest,  and 

jion  and 

hty  God 

>  persons 

rt.     The 

ifest  His 

•-General 

I  was  an 

:able  for 

[t  would 

him  for 

going  to 

self  had 

le  would 

5sistance 

e  estab- 

i  he  had 

the  isle 

distinct 

han   its 

le  never 

>uld  ob- 

of   the 

Blessed 

itended 

aim  of 

re  cen- 

ition  of 


the  Faith  among  the  savages,  and  the  greater 
glory  of  God.  But  as  he  knew  well  that  he 
alone  could  not  accomplish  so  great  a  work,  he 
conceived  the  idea  of  forming  a  new  company, 
that  would  not  be  devoted  either  to  self-interest 
or  commercial  pursuits,  like  the  preceding  Asso- 
ciations, bat  whose  chief  desire  would  be  the 
propagation  of  the  Faith  in  America,  and  the 
conversion  of  the  Indians.  Full  of  these  pious 
aspirations,  he  came  to  Paris,  for  the  purpose  of 
procuring  means  to  put  them  into  execution. 
He  had  many  interviews  with  persons  of  distinc- 
tion there,  but,  as  generally  happens  with  the 
works  of  God,  he  experienced  so  much  difficulty, 
and  encountered  so  much  opposition,  that  a 
person  less  devoted  to  the  divine  honor,  and 
less  susceptible  of  the  impressions  of  grace, 
would  have  been  completely  disheartened. 
Cardinal  Richelieu  himself,  who  was  so  clear- 
sighted in  human  policy,  when  spoken  to  on  this 
subject,  treated  it  as  a  chimera  full  of  impru- 
dence and  temerity.  M.  Dauversiere  (le  Royer) 
made  no  reply  to  his  distinguished  opponent, 
but  went  quietly  to  seek  an  interview  with 
M.  Olier,  then  professor  in  the  Seminary  of 
St.  Sulpice,  a  man  who  had  devoted  all  his 
masterly  energies  to  that  great  undertaking. 
This  true  servant  of  God  generously  assisted 
every  good  work,  and  when  there  was  question 
of  promoting  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin,  his 


Hi 


22       VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

unbounded  confidence  in  her  made  him  act  in. 
stantaneously.  One  cannot  doubt  by  the  splen^ 
did  sequel  that  he  had  a  very  strong  presentiment 
of  the  ultimate  success  of  the  pious  project.  There, 
fore  he  applied  himself  earnestly  to  the  task  of 
persuading  influential  persons  to  join  the  com- 
pany when  formed,  and  also  took  the  necessary 
steps  to  secure  to  the  company,  when  formed, 
the  proprietorship  of  the  isle  of  Montreal.  In 
1656  he  did  secure  it,  with  ample  concessions 
from  M.  Jean  de  Lanzon,  the  King's  counsellor 
and  minister  of  finance. 


'£0/S. 


m  act  in. 
he  splen. 
sentiment 
ct.  There, 
e  task  of 
the  com, 
necessary 
formed, 
real.  In 
icessions 
^unsellor 


CHAPTER  II. 

MESSRS.   DAUVERSIERE    AND    DE    MAISONNEUVE 

VISIT  MONTREAL. 

It  has  been  stated  that  Cardinal  Richelieu 
at  first  opposed  the  building  of  Ville-Marie,  but 
this  he  did,  not  through  apathy  for  anything  re- 
lating to  the  spread  of  religion,  but  lest  the 
work  was  a  human  impossibility,  as  indeed  it  then 
appeared  to  be.  However,  his  opposition,  from 
whatever  cause  it  had  arisen,  disappeared  before 
the  reasoning  of  M.  de  Lanzon,  for  whom  the 
Cardinal  entertained  the  most  sincere  respect.  He 
now  gave  the  project  his  unqualified  appro- 
bation, and  obtained  from  the  King  a  renewed 
confirmation  of  all  the  privileges  conferred  on  the 
preceding  associations,  with  undisturbed  posses- 
sion of  the  land.  Being  thus  furnished  with  the 
best  means  of  procuring  funds,  and  being 
under  the  protection  of  His  Eminence  the  Car- 
dinal, Messrs.  de  Faucamp  and  Dauversiere,  with  a 
great  number  of  other  influential  persons,who  were 
pledged  to  support  them,  no  longer  hesitated  to 

announce    themselves    as    "  The    Company  of 

23 


24 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


m. 


! 


Montreal,"  bound  to  uphold  the  Catholic  Faith  in 
Canada,and  more  especially  to  convert  the  savages, 
which  was  the  real  end  they  proposed  to  them- 
selves. But  it  was  not  only  the  associates  them- 
selves who  provided  the  necessary  funds.  Other 
persons  also  contributed,  and  none  more  gener- 
ously than  M.  Alexander  Bretonvilliers,  a  priest 
of  the  community  of  St.  Sulpice,  and  afterwards 
its  second  Superior.  Being  son  of  the  minister 
of  state,  he  was  the  wealthiest  eccelesiastic  in 
France,  and  bestowed  the  greater  part  of  his 
patrimony  on  this  undertaking.  The  Duchess 
de  Bullion  also,  who  preserved  an  incognita  for 
a  long  time,  gave  large  sums  of  money  to  M.' 
Dauversiere  to  assist  the  Montreal  Association 
in  the  propagation  of  the  Faith,  as  she  had  hith- 
erto provided  the  principal  funds  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  Hotel-Dieu,  as  shall  be  noticed 
again. 

It  is  now  time  to  give  the  names  of  the  prin, 
cipal  members  of  this  pious  association,  as  they 
are  undoubtedly  written  in  the  Book  of  Life. 
Most  happily  heading  the  list  is  the  name  of  the 
great  Cardinal  Richelieu.  Then  follow  such  namei 
as  Mar^chal  Duke  d'Effiat,  M.  Jean  de  Lan 
zon,  Jean  Jacques  Olier,  first  Superior  of  St 
Sulpice,  Alexander  Bretonvilliers,  Gabriel  d^ 
Qu^lus  and  Nicholas  Barreau,  all  priests  of  St. 
Sulpice;  Pierre  le  Pr^tre,  priest  by  name  and 
office,  Louis  Le  Pr^tre  his  brother,  Pierre  Chevrier, 


\ 


■  *^ 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


2S 


Jerome  de  Royer,  Jacques  Gerard,  Michael  Royer 
Duplessis,Bertrand  Drouart,  a  member  of  the  suite 
of  the  Duke  of  Orleans,  Christopher  Duplessis, 
Antoine  Barrilon,  Jean  Galibal,  Louis  S^ignier, 
Louis  d'Aibout  de  Coulonges,Paul  de  Chaumeday, 
the  Duchess  de  Bullion,  and  the  Venerable  Sister 
Margaret  Bourgeois,  whose  life  we  are  about  to  re- 
cord, and  who,  without  being  formally  a  member 
of  the  Society,  took  a  most  active  part  in  it. 
We  shall  soon  see  her  concealing  the  brighest 
virtues  under  the  veil  of  humility. 

But  pre-eminently  was  M.  Olier  the  guiding 
spirit  of  this  splendid  association  of  Catholic 
hearts.  He  it  was  who  projected  the  plans 
necessary  for  the  greatness  and  security  of  the 
enterprise.  The  first  thing  he  declared  necessary 
was  to  secure  the  blessing  of  God  and  the  pro- 
tection of  the  ever  Blessed  Virgin.  This  was  to  be 
accomplished  by  an  imposing  ceremony  that  might 
be  recorded  in  after  ages  for  the  edification  of  those 
who  should  undertake  a  similar  work  for  the  glory 
of  God.  It  was  a  spectacle  worthy  of  the  compla- 
cency of  heaven,  and  the  zealous  children  of  the 
Church  who  participated  in  it.  On  the  3rd  of 
February,  1641,  the  day  following  the  Feast  of 
the  Purification,  all  the  members  of  that  illustri- 
ous Society  being  assembled  in  Paris,  went  in  the 
morning  at  an  appointed  hour  to  the  church 
of  Notre  Dame.  M.  Olier  celebrated  Mass  at 
the   Altar   of   the   Blessed   Virgin,  and   all   the 


^       VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


associates  who  were  not  priests  received  Holy 
Communion  from  his  hands.     The  priests  at  the 
same   time   offered  the  holy   sacrifice    at    other 
altars.     With    one  accord    they  supplicated  the 
Queen  of  Heaven  to  bless  their  undertaking,  and 
forever  keep  the  Isle  of  Montreal  under  her  special 
protection.     At  the   close  of   the  edifying  cere- 
mony the  Associates  assembled  at  the  Hotel  de 
Lanzon  to  hold  their  first    meeting.     The  plan 
being  already  matured,   it  was  resolved  that  in 
the   spring   of  the   year   they   would   get  ready 
a   sufficient    number    of    ships,    three   of  which 
were  to  be  devoted  to  the  transportation  of  such 
respectable  and  honest  families  as  were  willing  to 
go  to  Montreal  and  commence  the  foundation  of  a 
permanent  colony.     They  were  required  to  take 
with  them  all  the  provisions,  clothing,  furniture, 
and  mechanical  or  other  tools  necessary  for  the 
first  two  years,  and  were  to  take  possession  of 
the  isle  in  the  name  of  Mary,  whom  they  were 
to  rep^ard  as  their  mother  and  mistress. 

With  the  King's  permission  they  were  to  build 
a  city  in  her  honor,  which  was  to  be  called  Ville- 
Marie.  Under  the  protection  of  Cardinal  Riche- 
lieu, and  during  the  first  session  of  the  assembly, 
M.  de  Lanzon  was  named  administrator  of  the 
Society,  M.  Dauversiere  being  appointed  its  prin- 
cipal agent,  which  duty  was  especially  suited  to 
him  because  of  his  devotion  to  the  Mother  of 
God.     When  the  plans  were  finally  agreed  upon. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


-7 


each  member  made  it  a  point  of  honor  to  contrib- 
ute as  generously  as  possible  to  the  success  of 
the  colony,  and  before  the  meeting  broke  up  they 
received  more  than  two  hundred  thousand  livres. 
With  this  substantial  aid,  M.  Dauversiere  set  to 
work  in  good  earnest  to  prepare  for  the  voyage 
across  the  Atlantic,  the  remainder  of  the  winter 
being  employed  in  preparing  the  necessary  fleet. 
Authorized  by  the  King,  he  enlisted  a  number  of 
soldiers,  whom  he  foresaw  would  be  required  to 
garrison  and  protect  the  colony.  He  also  assem- 
bled a  great  number  of  families  who  volunteered 
to  accompany  him  to  the  New  World,  and  devote 
themselves  to  agriculture,  retaining  in  his  own 
service  about  thirty  married  people  of  various 
avocations,  so  that  religion  rather  than  worldly 
interest  should  range  under  his  standard. 

Among  the  emigrants,  the  nobility  were  repre- 
sented by  such  names  as  De  Bel^tre,  Closse  and 
Mignon ;  merchants,  by  Lemoine,  Leb^rt,  Charly, 
etc.;  mechanics  and  farmers,  by  Caron,  Barbier, 
Archambault,  Cavalier,  D^cari,  and  others.  In 
the  spring  of  1641  all  these  different  classes  of 
people  met  at  La  Rochelle,  from  which  port  they 
were  to  embark.  M.  Dauversiere  was  every- 
where— now  at  Paris,  now  at  Rochelle — and  all 
were  ready  to  depart,  when  the  idea  suddenly 
struck  him  that  a  man  of  prudence,  experience, 
and  authority  was  still  wanted  to  govern  the 
miscellaneous   crowd,  and   take   the  lead  in  the 


f    ; 


mm 


Mil! 


Iif  ■II 


2S        VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

young  colony.  It  was  now  the  month  of  May, 
and  the  embarkation  had  not  yet  taken  place  be- 
cause of  this  void.  But  Providence  did  not  for- 
sake him,  and  the  want  was  supplied  in  a  rather 
remarkable  manner.  Being  one  day  in  Paris  he 
was  invited  to  dine  at  the  house  of  an  intimate 
friend.  During  the  conversation  the  subject  of 
colonizing  Montreal  was  discussed,  as  it  was  his 
absorbing  idea,  and  he  spoke  of  the  embarrassing 
want  that  delayed  him.  After  dinner  one  of  the 
guests,  until  then  a  stranger  to  him,  but  who  had 
listened  very  attentively  to  the  colonization 
plan,  of  which  he  had  not  before  heard,  freely 
offered  to  accompany  the  expedition.  "  I  am  a 
gentleman  of  about  forty  years  of  age,"  he  said, 
"  I  have  spent  my  youth  honorably  in  the  King's 
service,  and  flatter  myself  with  having  acquired 
both  experience  and  reputation.  A  desire  to 
devote  myself  to  the  service  of  God  in  some  way 
or  other  has  induced  me  to  withdraw  from  the 
service  of  his  majest/,  and  I  have  lived  for  some 
time  in  a  simple,  quiet  way,  on  a  pension  of  two 
thousand  livres,  which  is  sufficient  for  my  subsis- 
tence, but  I  see  in  the  enterprise  you  have  under- 
taken for  the  honor  of  the  Mother  of  God  so 
specird  a  field  for  the  spread  of  our  holy  religion, 
that  if  fp  -  :^cr'-M:ce3  are  agreeable  to  you,  I  wil- 
lin*.'  :r  Akc  ti\e  sacrifice  of  repose,  and  even  of 
life 

This   nid.i  Was  Paul  de  Chaumeday,  alias  de 


•f  Mav, 
[ace  be- 
lot  for- 
.  rather 
aris  he 
itimate 
>ject  of 
^as  his 
rassing 
of  the 
lo  had 
ization 
freely 
am  a 
said, 
ing's 
uired 
re   to 
way 
the 
Isome 
two 
ibsis- 
ider- 
so 
;ion, 
wil- 
of 

de 


VENERABLI-  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


29 


Maisonneuve.  On  hearing  these  words  Dauver- 
siere,  filled  with  gratit.ide  to  God,  adored  His 
Divine  Providence,  and  believed  that  the  noble 
volunteer  was  appointed  by  heaven  to  lead  the 
colonists.  He  embraced  him  with  tears  of  joy 
and  departed  forthwith  to  relate  the  circumstance 
to  his  associates.  The  name  of  de  Maisonneuve 
was  well  known  to  many  of  them,  and  his  services 
were  gladly  accepted.  A  second  meeting  of  the 
association  was  then  held,  at  which  it  was 
unanimously  agreed  to  appoint  him  Governor  of 
Montreal.  In  this  quality  he  was  presented  to 
the  King  for  the  purpose  of  expediting  an  official 
appointment.  He  was  certainly  a  suitable  person 
to  head  such  an  expedition,  as  he  had  long  been  a 
faithful  client  of  Mary  Immaculate.  Many  years 
before  he  made  a  vow  of  perpetual  chastity  in 
her  honor,  and  recited  her  office  every  day.  His 
reputation  stood  very  high,  and  being  in  the  full 
vigor  of  manhood,  had  given  proofs  of  courage 
and  prudence,  even  in  religious  matters.  His 
business  being  quickly  settled  up,  he  set  out  for 
Rochelle  with  M.  Dauversiere,  each  rejoicing  at 
having  met  the  other.  They  had  scarcely  ar- 
rived there,  when  another  singular  intervention 
of  Providence  took  place,  which  was  quite  as  re- 
markable as  the  preceding  one.  This  was  the 
vocation  of  Jean  Mance,  whose  name  will  ap- 
pear again.  She  was  a  young  woman,  about 
thirty  years  old,  the  daughter  of  simple,  honest 


30 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


\\ 


V--'*- 


III 


i    i 


parents  in  Langers,  where  she  had  spent  her 
youth  in  the  most  fervent  exercises  of  piety, 
and  was  ignorant  of  the  extraordinary  exertions 
then  being  made  in  France  to  colonize  Canada, 
but  she  felt  inspired  to  pass  the  remainder  of  her 
life  in  some  place  consecrated  to  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  and  waited  for  Divine  Providence  to  di- 
rect her.  She  proposed  her  views  to  her  confessor, 
but  he  being  also  ignorant  of  the  projected  es- 
tablishment of  Montreal,  treated  her  as  a  vision, 
ary.  Yet  as  she  persisted  in  asking  advice,  he 
spoke  of  her  in  Paris  to  persons  more  enlightened 
than  himself.  Those  with  whom  he  conversed 
did  not  fail  to  recognize  something  remarkable 
in  her  vocation,  and  she  was  accordingly  intro- 
duced to  the  Duchess  at  the  Hotel  de  Bullion. 
As  this  lady  was  already  laboring  for  the  colon- 
ization of  Montreal  she  took  a  lively  interest  in 
Jean,  retaining  her  for  some  time  as  a  confidential 
attendant  in  her  own  household.  In  this  capa- 
city the  Duchess  could  not  but  admire  the  special 
designs  of  God,  manifested  in  her  well-formed 
habits  of  virtue.  She  encouraged  her  to  go  with 
the  volunteers  to  the  New  World,  and  remain 
faithful  to  her  vocation.  As  the  day  appointed 
for  the  embarkation  drew  near,  after  giving  her 
a  well-filled  purse  to  supply  her  wants,  she  ex- 
acted a  promise  to  apply  to  her  in  future  for  as- 
sistance in  carrying  on  whatever  good  works 
Divine  Providence  might  appoint  for  her.     She 


•■  -f- , 


vs. 

int  her 

piety, 

:ertions 

Canada, 

r  of  her 

Blessed 

:  to  di- 

ifessor, 

ted  cs- 

vision. 

ice,  he 

htened 

iversed 

irkable 

intro- 

uHion. 

colon- 

est  in 

ential 

capa- 

Decial 

)rmed 

with 

main 

nted 

:  her 

■e  ex- 

r  as- 

orks 

She 


VENERABLE  SJSTtR  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


31 


then  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  Jean,  and  sent 
her  to  M.  Dauvcrsiere  at  Rochelle.  On  her  arri- 
val  he  desired  to  test  her  zeal  and  courage  as  a 
postulant,  and  represented  the  difficulty  of  such 
an  enterprise  for  a  young,  friendless  girl.  He 
spoke  of  his  intention  to  found  Ville-Marie,  but 
added  that  it  might  be  reddened  with  human 
blood,  if  the  savages  should  attack  the  colonists, 
and  that  she  might  possibly  have  to  attend  alone 
in  the  hospital  on  the  wounded  and  dying. 
Finding  that  such  pictures  of  horror  only  in- 
creased her  zeal,  he  blessed  the  inscrutable  ways 
of  God,  and  joyfully  permitted  her  to  embark 
with  the  others.  He  did  not  hesitate  even  to 
enrol  her  name  among  the  Associates,  and  she 
eventually  became  a  most  useful  instrument  in 
the  hands  of  Divine  Providence  for  completing 
the  establishment  of  the  Hotel-Dieu  of  St.  Joseph 
at  Ville-Marie. 

The  events  we  have  just  recorded  delayed  the 
sailing  of  the  fleet  until  the  end  of  June,  at  which 
time  it  left  the  port  of  Rochelle,  but  did  not 
arrive  at  Quebec  until  the  close  of  September. 
The  season  was  then  too  far  advanced  to  ascend 
the  river  to  Montreal,  and  if  it  had  been  attempted 
they  would  have  been  compelled  to  winter  at  some 
place  where  there  was  neither  human  habitation 
nor  fort,  and  would  consequently  be  exposed  to 
the  attacks  of  the  fierce  Iroquois.  They  therefore 
concluded  to  pass  the  winter  at  Quebec  as  best 


. '  » 


33 


VENHRABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


they  could.  The  Governor,  Chevalier  de  Mont 
magni,  welcomed  them  with  much  cordiality,  but 
had  views  of  his  own  in  the  Quebec  colony,  which 
were  not  favorable  to  an  establishment  at  Mon- 
treal. He  supposed  naturally  that  in  a  country 
so  weak  as  Canada  then  was,  it  would  be  unwise 
and  imprudent  to  divide  their  strength,  and  that 
the  success  of  a  settlement  at  Montreal  was  im- 
possible on  account  of  its  proximity  to  the  Indian 
camping  grounds,  and  their  constant  attacks  on 
the  French.  He  intended  asking  them  to  select 
the  isle  of  Orleans,  which  was  still  unoccupied, 
and  where  assistance  could  more  easily  reach 
them  in  case  of  an  attack.  Like  a  wise  p'^Mtician, 
however,  he  was  slow  to  reveal  his  plan,  pre- 
ferring to  await  the  return  of  the  ships  to  France, 
which  had  scarcely  set  sail  when  he  convoked  a 
general  assembly  in  order  to  disclose  his  projects. 
It  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  the  garrison  were  as 
interested  as  he  was,  and  so  were  the  other  in- 
habitants of  Quebec.  But  the  firmness  of  M.  de 
Maisonneuve  was  a  match  for  their  intrigue,  and 
when  his  views  and  opinions  were  asked  during 
the  debate,  he  replied  with  much  dignity,  that  he 
was  surprised  the  Governor  of  Quebec  thought 
it  necessary  to  convoke  a  public  assembly  on  a 
matter  which  concerned  the  speaker  only — that 
he  made  no  secret  of  his  intentions— that  the 
settlement  of  the  isie  of  Orleans  had  never  been 
proposed  by  the  Montreal  Association — that  he 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


33 


came  expressly  to  found  a  new  city,  which  was 
to  be  dedicated  to  the  Mother  of  God,  on  the 
isle  of  Montreal — that  he  had  not  the  least  idea 
of  changing  his  original  plan — and  finally,  that 
unless  he  lost  his  life,  he  would  execute  his  com- 
mission. It  was  impossible  to  gainsay  him,  and 
the  assembly  dissolved  without  deciding  on  any- 
thing. De  Maisonneuve  contented  himself  with 
sending  some  of  his  party  to  Montreal  to  cut 
down  trees  during  the  winter,  that  they  might 
have  a  cleared  section  of  land  to  work  on  in 
spring.  He  and  the  rest  of  the  colonists  passed 
the  season  quietly  in  their  tents  at  Quebec,  await- 
ing the  arrival  of  fine  weather,  and  the  breaking 
up  of  the  ice. 

In  the  month  of  May,  as  soon  as  the  river  was 
open  to  navigation,  they  were  again  in  readiness 
to  move  on,  and  Governor  Montmagni  expressed 
a  strong  desire  to  accompany  them.  De  Maison- 
neuve invited  the  Jesuit  missionaries,  Simon  and 
Poncet,  to  go  with  them  and  bless  the  site  of  the 
new  city,  and  take  charge  of  the  church  they  in- 
tended to  erect  when  circumstances  permitted. 
As  there  was  no  road  through  the  country,  and 
no  settlements  along  the  river  between  Montreal 
and  Quebec,  the  journey  was  long,  and  everywhere 
beset  with  difficulties,  so  that  they  did  not  arrive 
at  their  destination  until  the  17th  of  May.  Then 
they  encamped,  and  called  the  neck  of  land  at 
the  mouth  of  the  little  river  "  Pointe  k  Galier^s," 


34 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


in  honor  of  the  third  Governor  of  Montreal,  M. 
de  Calier^s,  who  built  a  fort  there,  in  which  he  re- 
sided during  the  term  of  his  administration. 

The  fervent  colonists  erected  a  tent  imme- 
diately, in  which  the  holy  sacrifice  of  the  Mass 
was  celebrated,  and  in  which  they  afterwards 
kept  the  Blessed  Sacrament.  M.  de  Maison- 
neuve's  first  care  was  to  give  every  family  suffi- 
cient land  on  which  to  erect  a  house,  and  each 
one  built  to  suit  his  own  convenience.  He 
erected  a  house  for  himself  also,  which  was 
known  long  after  as  the  "  Old  Seminary." 

To  Jean  Mance  he  gave  sufficient  ground  for  a 
hospital,  the  expense  of  building  which  was  to  be 
paid  out  of  the  fund  bestowed  by  the  Duchess 
de  Bullion.  The  hospital  was  as  large  and  con- 
venient as  the  young  colony  required,  and  the  peo- 
ple took  the  precaution  to  build  their  church 
near  it.  This  building  served  for  years  not  only 
as  a  parish  church,  but  likewise  as  a  chapel  of  de- 
votion for  the  sick  and  wounded.  As  the  houses 
were  all  wooden  structures,  they  were  speedily 
erected,  and  on  the  15th  of  August,  1642 — being 
the  Feast  of  the  Assumption  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin — the  Adorable  Sacrament  was  taken  from 
the  tent  in  which  it  was  hitherto  kept,  and  car- 
ried in  solemn  procession  to  the  church  with  all 
the  pomp  and  magnificence  possible  under  the 
circumstances.  Curiosity  attracted  the  savages 
from  all  quarters,  and  as  they  were  then  less  fami- 


VENERABLE  HIHTEK  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


35 


liar  with  the  ceremonies  of  our  holy  reh'gion  than 
now,  they  were  transported  with  admiration  and 
joy  at  what  they  saw.  Nor  were  they  less  edi- 
fied by  the  simple  fervor  and  piety  of  the  first 
French  settlers.  This  glorious  festival  of  Mary 
was  long  remembered  in  Canada  by  both  French 
and  Indians,  as  was  the  singing  of  the*' Salve 
Regina"  by  Columbus  and  his  crew,  when  he 
neared  the  shores  of  the  New  World. 


i! 


i  r 


CHAPTER  III. 

ESTABLISHMENT  OF    THE   HOTEL  DIEU — ECCLE 
SIASTICAL  APPOINTMENTS   FOR  CANADA,  ETC 

While  M.  de  Maisonneuve  was  arranging 
matters  to  insure  the  success  of  the  new  colony, 
he  received  a  reinforcement  which,  though  not  so 
numerous  as  the  first  band  of  emigres,  was  equally 
well  selected.  It  was  led  by  M.  Louis  d'Aillebout 
de  Masseau,  a  man  of  eminent  piety,  and  a  member 
of  the  Montreal  Association.  With  this  opportune 
and  important  addition,  De  Maisonneuve  under- 
took to  inclose  the  young  city  with  palisades  in 
the  manner  of  a  fort,  as  a  barrier  against  the 
attacks  of  the  furious  Indians.  These  attacks 
they  might  any  moment  expect,  and  very  justly 
feared,  on  account  of  the  atrocities  that  were  daily 
related  to  them.  The  Governor  of  Quebec  being 
informed  of  the  proposed  fortification,  or  rather 
being  assured  that  it  was  nearly  completed,  de- 
termined to  oppose  it,  but  de  Maisonneuve  would 
permit  no  outside  interference.  In  order,  there- 
fore, that  there  might  be  no  clashing  of  interests, 
Jie  returned  to  France  the  same  year,  leaving  the 

36 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


37 


command  of  the  garrison  to  M.  d'Aillebout,  with 
the  title  of  Lieutenant-Governor.  This  gentle- 
man discharged  the  duties  of  his  office  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  the  people,  securing  both 
their  esteem  and  their  property.  On  his  arrival 
in  Paris  de  Maisonneuve  sought  an  interview  with 
the  King,  and  related  faithfully  to  him,  as  like- 
wise to  the  members  of  the  Association,  the  exact 
state  of  things  in  Canada.  Every  one  was  aston- 
ished at  his  success,  and  approved  of  his  conduct. 
The  King,  moreover,  on  learning  the  opposition 
policy  of  the  Governor  of  Quebec,  gave  De 
Maisonneuve  a  letter  to  place  in  the  hands  of  that 
gentleman,  which  read  as  follows : 

"■  M.  DE  MONTMAGNi, — Being  especially  in- 
formed by  the  Montreal  Association,  at  present 
residing  in  Montreal,  that  their  intention  is  to 
establish  a  colony  on  that  island,  in  order  to 
labor  more  effectually  for  the  conversion  of  the 
savages,  we  strongly  approve  of  their  design,  and 
have  given  them  permission  to  erect  a  fort  on  the 
said  island,  at  their  own  expense,  which  fort  they 
are  to  furnish  with  artillery  and  all  other  military 
supplies  that  may  be  needed  to  secure  them  from 
the  fury  of  the  savages.  We  desire  that  you  render 
them  all  the  assistance  in  your  power,  and  we  have 
named  M.  de  Maisonneuve  governor  and  con- 
troller of  the  enterprise,  so  that  nothing  may  oc- 
cur to  prevent  its  success.  "  Louis." 

"  February  21,  1643." 


38 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


Furnished  with  this  letter,  Messrs.  de  Maison- 
neuve  and  Dauversiere  labored  in  concert  to  pro- 
cure a  third  fleet  and  a  new  set  of  recruits,  and 
they  were  quite  as  successful  as  on  the  two 
former  occasions.  The  volunteers  were  select 
and  numerous,  their  voyage  across  the  Atlantic 
safe  and  pleasant,  and  at  the  end  of  July  that 
year  they  arrived  at  Vi lie- Marie.  The  death  of 
Louis  XIII.  occurring  at  that  period,  the  Asso- 
ciates deemed  it  prudent  to  apply  to  the  Queen 
Regent,  mother  of  Louis  XIV.,  for  a  confirmation 
of  their  former  privileges,  which  she  freely 
granted,  permitting  them  also  to  organize  militia 
companies  for  their  future  safety,  and  to  secure 
the  services  of  such  ecclesiastics  as  they  should 
judge  most  useful  for  the  rising  colony.  Yet, 
nothwithstanding  repeated  royal  favors,  and  un- 
tiring exertions  to  promote  the  general  pros- 
perity, the  colony  was  languishing,  and  had  much 
to  suffer  from  the  increasing  ferocity  of  the 
Indians.  But  de  Maisonneuve  was  always  equal 
to  the  occasion,  and  derived  advantage  from 
their  fury,  that  is,  spiritual  advantage.  Many  and 
many  a  time,  he  had  the  consolation  to  see  those 
barbarous  warriors  throw  down  the  bloody 
tomahawk  and  embrace  Christianity.  He  was 
truly  an  apostle  in  their  midst,  attracting  them 
as  much  by  affability,  as  by  the  benefits  he  con- 
ferred, and  it  was  his  greatest  pleasure  to  act  as 
sponsor  for  them   in   baptism.      Almighty  God 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


39 


blessed  the  new  settlement  so  visibly  as  to  cause 
astonishment  and  admiration  in  the  hearts  of  all 
devoted  to  His  glory.  Jean  Mance  also  labored 
zealously  in  the  service  of  the  sick,  who  were 
cared  for  in  the  hospital  she  established,  and  al- 
ready the  work  was  greater  than  she  alone  could 
accomplish.  Madame  de  la  Peleterie,  who 
founded  the  Ursulines  at  Quebec,  came  to  Ville- 
Marie  to  offer  her  services  to  Mile.  Mance,  who 
admired  her  generosity  and  good  will  without  ac- 
cepting her  assistance.  The  members  of  the  As- 
sociation resident  in  Paris  labored  meanwhile 
very  earnestly  to  establish  the  hospital  in  Mon- 
treal, but  declined  the  interference  of  outsiders. 
The  Duchess  de  Bullion  had  already  made  large 
advances  for  its  support,  and  in  1648  donated 
an  additional  fund  of  sixty  thousand  livres. 
With  this  money  M.  de  Maisonneuve  assisted 
Jean  Mance  in  building  a  wing  of  60  by  24  feet  for 
the  nurses,  who  were  still  wanting,  and  whose  ser- 
vices it  was  time  to  secure,  as  the  number  of 
patients  was  constantly  increasing.  The  ladies 
of  the  Hotel  Dieu  at  Quebec,  on  hearing  of  the 
crowded  state  of  the  hospital,  presented  them- 
selves as  nurses,  and  two  remained  in  Ville-Marie 
a  considerable  length  of  time  to  watch  how  mat- 
ters would  be  arranged.  Even  the  French  court 
approved  of  them  as  nurses,  but  Providence  or- 
dained otherwise,  as  at  that  very  time  the  Associ- 
ates in  France  were  making  their  own  arrange- 


\  . 


!!■ 


40 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


ments,  and  disappointed  those  who  wishedto  press 
the  matter  in  Montreal. 

There  existed  at  La  Fl^che  a  new  congregation 
of  Hospital  Sisters,  partly  secular,  who  by  simple 
vows  added  the  service  of  the  sick  to  the  ordi- 
nary duties  of  a  religious  community.  They 
were  in  their  first  fervor,  the  members  applying 
themselves  with  zeal  and  edification  to  serve  the 
poor  invalids  in  the  Hotel  Dieu  of  St.  Joseph, 
lately  established  in  their  city.  Dauversiere,  who 
was  acquainted  with  their  piety,  asked  and  ob- 
tained  a  few  Sisters  to  go  to  Ville-Marie  and  estab- 
lish the  Hotel  Dieu  of  Canada.  As  soon  as  his  pro- 
posal was  made  known,  these  pious  women  strove 
who  should  be  first  to  claim  the  sacred  honor  of 
expatriating  themselves  for  the  cause  of  charity, 
and  sacrifice  life,  if  necessary,  in  a  strange  land, 
among  wild  savages  who  would  most  likely,  in 
return,  confer  on  them  the  crown  of  martyrdom. 
The  French  emigrants  of  those  days  had  no  other 
idea  of  the  Canadian  mission,  and  prepared  them- 
selves accordingly.  On  the  20th  of  May,  1656, 
the  community  pledged  itself  to  send  four  of  its 
best  subjects  to  Montreal.  They  were  truly 
zealous  souls,  who  awaited  the  time  of  their  em- 
barkation with  eagerness,  but  from  some  cause 
or  other  did  not  leave  France  until  1660.  On 
their  arrival  at  Ville-Marie,  Jean  Mance  received 
them  with  every  mark  of  esteem  and  affection 
that    Christian   charity  could   inspire.     She  put 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


41 


them  in  immediate  possession  of  that  portion  of 
the  hospital  set  apart  for  them,  reserving  to  her- 
self only  the  adminstration  of  the  funds  for  the 
poor  and  destitute,  a  duty  which  she  discharged 
faithfully,  and  with  solid  benefit  to  the  recipients, 
the  rest  of  her  life.  The  new  Sisters  were  little 
more  than  a  secular  congregation,  until  i666,when 
Pope  Alexander  VII.  approved  of  them  as  a  re- 
ligious order,  by  a  bull  dated  January  8th,  1666, 
in  which  strict  enclosure  was  enjoined,  and  a  reli- 
gious dress  appointed  to  be  worn. 

While  the  interests  of  the  hospital  were  being 
thus  carefully  attended  to  in  France,  it  v/as  evi- 
dent that  the  spiritual  wants  oj  the  colony  were 

becoming  every  day  more  pressing.  Montreal 
was  now  populous,  and  numbers  of  the  Indians 
who  embraced  Christianity  were  anxious  that 
their  respective  tribes  should  do  the  same.  Yet 
there  was  but  one  Jesuit  Father  in  the  whole 
colony,  who  could  not  possibly  discharge  all  the 
duties  required  of  him.  When  M.  Olier  heard  of 
it,  he  thought  seriously  of  sending  to  Canada  a 
mission  from  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice,  and  as 
he  was  suffering  painful  infirmities  for  many  years, 
brought  on  by  the  laborious  discharge  of  his 
oflficial  duties,  he  contemplated  accompanying 
them  himself.  He  accordingly  selected  four 
priests  of  his  community,  who  were  gentlemen  of 
merit  and  distinction,  viz.,  Gabriel  de  Qu61us, 
Abb4  of  Laudieu  (one  of  the  Montreal  associates), 


42 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


i'  m 


M.  Francis  d'Allet,  Gabriel  Souart,  and  Dominick 
Gallitier.  M.  de  Qu^lus  was  a  man  of  illustrious 
birth,  and  was  appointed  by  their  ecclesiastical 
Superior  (the  Archbishop  of  Rouen)  Grand  Vicar 
of  the  missioiia  b  in  Canada,  with  the  entire 
spiritual  control  o£  New  France.  He  was  re- 
ceived both  at  Quebec  and  Ville-Marie  with  all 
the  respect  due  to  his  dignity  and  birth,  encount- 
ering no  oppositl'  »  !/•  the  discharge  of  his  duties 
in  either  city.  M.  Scu^:  .  vva5>  appointed  pastor  of 
Ville-Marie,  the  Jesuit  I'^^/^her,  Claude  Pigots, 
who  had  until  then  Jis^hpr^,  "  rhe  duties  of  pas- 
tor, resigning  gracefully  in  his  '^v  jr. 

The  new  pastor  before  becoming  a  Sulpician, 
had  been  a  rich  aristocratic  Parisian.  His  parents, 
expecting  he  would  have  a  brilliant  career  in  the 
world,  almost  forced  upon  him  a  marriage  suita- 
ble to  his  rank  and  wealth,  and  the  day  of  the 
ceremony,  which  was  the  Feast  of  the  Assump- 
tion, 1660,  was  fast  approaching.  His  simple 
piety  led  him  on  the  eve  of  that  day  to  the  parish 
church  of  St.  Sulpice,  where  he  heard  an  eloquent 
sermon,  on  the  necessity  of  seeking  light  from 
heaven  in  the  choice  of  a  state  of  life.  He  was 
deeply  impressed  by  the  preacher's  convincing 
eloquence,  and  entering  into  himself,  found  that 
he  had  not  sufficiently  consulted  God  on  the  alli- 
ance he  was  about  to  contract.  The  next  day, 
therefore,  instead  of  plighting  his  troth  to  a 
willing  bride,  he   went  to  the   seminary   of   St. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS.       A-y 

Sulpice  to  make  a  retreat,  during  which  Divine 
Providence  clearly  manifested  to  him  that  he  was 
called  to  the  ecclesiastical  state.  Faithful  to 
the  call  of  divine  grace  he  renounced  the 
world,  entered  St.  Sulpice,  and  devoted  his 
young  life  and  rare  talents  to  the  service  of 
the  Church.  He  was  joyfully  admitted  into 
the  seminary,  and  having  already  received  a 
university  education,  was  soon  promoted  to  holy 
orders,  and  raised  to  the  dignity  of  the  priest- 
hood. His  glowing  zeal  impelled  him  to  volun- 
teer for  the  mission  of  Ville-Marie,  where  he 
eventually  succeeded  M.  de  Qu^lus  as  Superior  of 
the  Montreal  Seminary,  which  he  governed  hap- 
pily for  many  years.  He  was  the  first  priest  who  un- 
dertook the  perilous  task  of  forming  the  baptized 
savages  into  villages,  and  his  successful  attempt 
at  civilization  resulted  in  the  famous  **  Mission  of 
the  Mountain,"  where  he  died  shortly  after. 

Two  other  missionaries,  le  Maitre  and  Vignal, 
arrived  subsequently,  and  were  killed  by  the 
treacherous  Iroquois  while  laboring  for  their  con- 
version with  incredible  self-sacrifice.  It  is  a  tra- 
dition of  these  times,  that  the  savage  who  killed 
le  Maitre,  having  wrapped  tlie  bloody  head  in  a 
cloth,  the  face  of  the  martyred  priest  was  distinctly 
imprinted  thereon,  and  so  indelible  was  the  im- 
pression  that  when  the  terrified  savage  displayed 
the  cloth  in  his  native  village  as  a  trophy  of  the 
war-path,  the  features  of  le  Maitre  were  instantly 


ii 


I  \ 


■:. 


44 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


recognized,  the  murderer  being  cuttingly  up- 
braided for  his  cruelty  by  the  braves  of  his  tribe. 
It  was  now  several  years  since  the  French  had 
established  themselves  at  Ville-Marie,  and  during 
all  that  time  they  suffered  the  most  shocking 
cruelties  from  the  relentless  Iroquois.  The  earth 
might  be  said  to  have  been  constantly  wet  with 
the  blood  of  the  noblest  and  best  sons  of  France, 
and  the  survivors,  disgusted  and  disheartened, 
resolved  to  abandon  the  country.  In  speaking 
of  this  period  of  horror  and  dismay,  Jean  Mance 
says,  "  In  1560  the  Iroquois  had  conquered  and 
almost  exterminated  the  Hurons,  their  ancient 
foes,  and  full  of  barbarian  pride  and  insolence, 
turned  their  arms  against  the  colonists,  who  were 
an  easy  prey,  as  their  attacks  were  sudden,  fierce, 
and  stealthy.  They  killed  several  persons  in  the 
suburbs  of  Villc-Marie,  and  burned  their  houses; 
even  our  hospital  was  not  secure  from  their  bru- 
tal recklessness,  and  we  were  obliged  to  fortify  it 
by  a  garrison.  At  length  people  despaired  of  being 
able  to  protect  life  or  property,  and  resolved  on 
abandoning  the  enterprise.  In  this  extremity  I 
reflected  that  many  souls  would  be  forever  lost 
to  God  if  the  young  citj'  was  forsaken,  and  that 
it  would  be  a  national  humiliation  for  France  to 
abandon  Canada  to  the  vengeance  of  wild 
savages,  who  were  constantly  killing  each  other. 
Therefore,  fluctuating  between  hope  and  fear,  I 
implored  M.  de  Maisonneuve  to  hasten  back  to 


VENERABLE  HISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


45 


France  and  secure  additional  military  protection 
for  Montreal  and  its  martyred  people." 

He  willingly  acceded  to  the  brave  woman's  re- 
quest, and  in  September,  165 1,  returned  to  France, 
having  first  appointed  de  Masseau  commander 
of  Ville-Marie  in  his  absence.  He  was  obliged  to 
spend  two  entire  years  inducing  recruits  to  enlist 
for  Canada,  so  great  was  their  horror  of  the  Indians, 
and  had  to  labor  hard  against  disappointments, 
and  go  to  great  expense  to  secure  his  object. 
But  God  at  length  blessed  with  success  his  efforts 
in  the  cause  of  religion.  He  secured  a  company 
of  more  than  a  hundred  brave  soldiers,  who  sailed 
with  him  to  the  New  World  in  1653.  It  was 
during  this  voyage  he  first  became  acquainted 
with  the  remarkable  virtues  of  Margaret  Bourgeois, 
who  accompanied  him  from  France  at  a  period 
when  the  whole  nation  was  disgusted  with  the 
Canadian  mission.  This  admiriable  young  woman, 
who  had  no  other  resources  than  courage  and 
confidence  in  God,  did  not  hesitate  to  cross  the 
sea,  to  consecrate  herself  to  the  service  of  the 
Church,  and  to  propagate  devotion  to  the  Mother 
of  God.  How  perfectly  she  succeeded  is  proven 
by  the  splendid  monument  of  her  zeal  which 
still  exists  in  almost  primitive  fervor,  after  the 
lapse  of  more  than  two  centuries.  That  monu- 
ment is  the  "Congregation  of  Notre  Dame," 
which  has  rendered  such  incalculable  service  to 
the  cause  of  religion  in  Canada. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


EARLY    YEARS    OF    MARGARET    BOURGEOIS,  AND 
HER  VOCATION  FOR  THE  CANADIAN  MISSION. 

Margaret  Bourgeois  was  born  '  in  the  city 
of  Troyes,  in  Champagne,  on  the  15th  of  April, 
1620.  Her  father,  Abraham  Bourgeois,  was  an 
honest  merchant  of  that  city,  who  espoused 
Guillamette  Gamier.  If  these  good  people  were 
not  distinguished  for  high  birth  or  the  possession 
of  great  wealth,  they  were  at  least  remarkable 
for  the  purity  of  their  lives,  for  sound  religious 
principles,  and  for  unusual  probity  of  character. 
As  they  belonged  to  the  middle  class  of  society, 
their  means  were  limited,  yet  they  took  care  to 
have  their  children  educated,  and  instilled  into 
their  young  minds  a  cordial  love  for  the  duties  of 
religion.  Their  family  consisted  of  five  children, 
two  boys  and  three  girls,  Margaret  being  the 
third  born  to  them.  She  was  baptized  in  the 
parish  church  of  St.  John  of  Troyes,  and  nothing 
is  known  of  her  infancy  or  childhood  except  that 
at  a  proper  age  she  learned  to  read  and  write,  with 
the  other  attainments  of  early  school  years.    Of 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


47 


this  we  are  certain,  that,  at  an  early  period,  she 
became  a  practical  Christian,  and  never  deviated 
from  the  principles  she  then  imbibed.  Almighty 
God  had  special  designs  on  her  future  life,  and 
from  childhood  infused  into  her  heart  a  great 
love  of  labor  and  mortification,  which  fore- 
shadowed what  she  was  one  day  to  become. 
Scarcely  had  she  attained  her  tenth  year  when 
she  was  to  be  seen  among  her  little  companions, 
like  a  mother  in  Israel,  assembling  them  together 
in  secluded  places,  far  from  the  noise  and  bustle 
of  the  city,  instructing  them  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duties,  principally  in  practices  of  piety,  ad- 
vising them  to  love  labor  and  shun  idleness,  the 
fruitful  source  of  the  sins  of  youth,  and  to  select 
such  work  as  Almighty  God  had  given  them 
particular  inclinations  for. 

These  assemblies  of  children  were  so  many  little 
communities  of  innocent  souls  in  which  God 
took  great  complacency,  and  it  was  at  this  time 
she  made  her  first  Holy  Communion.  Her 
mother's  death  occurring  soon  after,  she  had  an 
opportunity  of  practising  the  virtues  of  obedience, 
etc.,  under  circumstances  far  in  advance  of  her 
years.  By  the  death  of  his  wife,  M.  Bourgeois 
found  himself  embarrassed  with  the  care  of  a 
helpless  young  family,  but  noticing  in  little  Mar- 
garet a  certain  air  of  gravity  and  prudence,  ac- 
companied by  sincere  piety,  he  seriously  thought 
of  giving  her  charge  of  the  household,  and  par- 


48 


VHNERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


ticularly  of  the  education  of  a  younger  brother 
and  sister.  Nothing  is  known  with  certainty  of 
the  after  lives  of  these  children,  except  that,  in 
1653,  when  Margaret  was  making  arrangements 
to  leave  France  for  Canada,  two  of  them  were 
minors,  in  whose  favor  she  voluntarily  dispos- 
sessed herself  of  her  share  of  the  family  inherit- 
ance. Neither  can  anything  be  recorded  of  the 
virtues  she  displayed  in  discharging  the  labor- 
ious duties  of  the  position  in  which  her  father 
placed  her  at  so  tender  an  age.  No  one  could 
speak  of  these  years  of  responsibility  except  her- 
self, and  humility  would  never  permit  her  to 
raise  the  veil,  or  speak  of  what  must  have  been  a 
most  interesting  portion  of  her  saintly  life. 
Only  one  circumstance  of  these  early  years  could 
she  ever  be  induced  to  mention,  and  of  this  she 
sometimes  spoke  with  great  bitterness  of  soul, 
and  much  exaggeration.  It  was  that,  a  few 
times,  during  seasons  of  worldly  dissipation,  she 
had  attached  undue  importance  to  dress — taking 
great  pains  to  arrange  her  toilette  fashionably  so 
as  to  display  her  personal  attractions  to  advantage. 
Although  this  happened  without  dressing  beyond 
her  station  of  life,  or  exceeding  the  bounds  of 
modesty,  she  acknowledged  that  it  tarnished  the 
purity  of  her  heart,  and  filled  her  mind  with  vain 
and  foolish  thoughts.  It  was  one  of  those  youth- 
ful faults  for  which  she  took  care  to  punish  her- 
self severely  in  afterlife,  being  remarkable  for  the 


VENIiRAliLU  aiHTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


49 


simplicity  and  modesty  of  her  attire,  even  before 
she  became  a  religeusc.  Her  beautiful  and  well- 
'-oncealed  spirit  of  mortification   made  her  cor- 

wspond  faithfully  to  the  motions  of  grace  which 
Divine  Providence  infused  into  her  soul,  and 
by  which  she  was  to  become  so  intimately  united 
to  God.  As  He  always  makes  an  instrument  of 
His  Blessed  Mother  to  bestow  such  graces  on 
His  elect,  it  was  by  devotion  to  Mary  that  He 
attached  Margaret  Bourgeois  irrevocably  to  His 
service.  She  had  always  been  a  devoted  client 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  the  singular  fav(^  she 
^•eceived,  that  will  now  be  related,  was  probably 

>t  the  first  vouchsafed  her  by  the  Queen  of 
^xcaven.  The  circumstancer  under  vhich  she 
received  it  prove  that  she  was  a  member  of  the 
Rosary  Society,  which  was  then  effecting  such 
wonders  in  the  spiritual  life  of  Christendom. 

On  the  first  Sunday  of  October,  1640 — the 
Feast  of  the  Holy  Rosary— the  Dominicans  held 
grand  procession",  in  honor  of  Mary,  and  celebrated 
the  feast  with  all  possible  splendor.  Margaret 
Bourgeois,  being  then  twenty  years  old,  came 
with  many  others  to  assist  at  the  procession, 
which  was  to  take  place  within  the  monastery  en- 
closure. The  public  were  allowed  on  such  occa- 
sions to  join  in  the  ceremony,  but  by  a  particular 
dispensation  of  Providence,  the  crowd  was  so 
great  this  year  that  the  procession  was  obliged 
to  pass  along  a  public  route,  and  file  off  before 


50 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


m\\\ 


the  church  of  Notre  Dame — the  cathedral  of 
Troyes.  There  was  a  very  fine  marble  statue  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin  placed  on  a  pedestal  in  the 
porch  of  the  church,  and  as  Margaret  turned 
reverently  to  gaze  upon  it,  it  shone  brilliantly 
with  supernatural  light — the  face  of  the  Virgin 
beaming  with  an  extraordinary  life-like  beauty. 
She  had  often  seen  the  statue  before,  but  never 
as  now,  and,  like  St.  Paul,  was  almost  blinded  by 
the  dazzling  vision.  To  the  last  day  of  her  life 
she  felt  her  heart  moved  to  its  inmost  depths  when 
she  recalled  this  celestial  favor. 

On  entering  the  church  she  reflected  seriously 
on  what  had  occurred,  and  felt  convinced  that 
God  demanded  of  her  something  more  than  she 
had  yet  accomplished  for  His  glory,  and  that  His 
Blessed  Mother  Avas  to  be  hereafter  her  strength 
and  support.  She  immediately  resolved  by  the 
help  of  God  to  eradicate  from  her  heart  the  two 
imperfections  that  counteracted  the  influence 
of  divine  grace.  These  were  an  inordmate 
love  of  dress,  and  a  strong  desire  to  attract  to 
herself  the  esteem  and  love  of  creatures.  Accord- 
ingly she  determined  for  the  future  to  wear  a 
simple  dress  of  cheap  material,  to  use  no  color 
but  black  or  brown,  and  never  again  to  display 
the  vain  ornaments  of  jewelry  that  young 
girls  so  much  prize.  In  her  fervor  she  made  a 
vow  to  receive  humiliations  as  coming  direcy 
fiom  the  hand  of    God,  and  we  shall  see  that 


ledral  of 
statue  of 
il  in  the 
t  turned 
rilliantly 
e  Virgin 
:  beauty, 
ut  never 
inded  by 
f  her  life 
ithswhen 

seriously 
iced  that 
than  she 
that  His 
strength 
by  the 
the  two 
nfluence 
[ordinate 
tract  to 
Accord- 
wear  a 
o  color 
display 
young 
nade  a 
lirecy 
ie  that 


VENERABLE  SJSTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


51 


as  Sister  Bourgeois  she  received  many  such 
favors. 

With  these  dispositions  it  was  natural  she  should 
seek  admission  into  a  religious  community,  which 
in  effect  she  did.  There  existed  at  Troyes  a  Car- 
melite Convent,  of  the  reform  of  St.  Teresa. 
Every  one  knows  that  the  Carmelites  are  in  a 
special  manner  devoted  to  Mary,  under  the  title 
of  "  Our  Lady  of  Mt.  Carmel,"  and  that  their 
congregation  is  the  origin  and  centre  of  the  Con- 
fraternities of  the  Scapular.  There  is  not  a  com- 
munity of  women  in  the  Church  whose  discipline 
and  manner  of  life  is  so  austere,  if  we  except  the 
**  Poor  Clares."  During  all  seasons  of  the  year 
they  dress  in  a  heavy  coarse  habit,  wear  sandals 
on  their  feet.  ^'^"-:.  make  use  of  linen,  are  seldom 
seen  in  the  parlor,  sleep  on  a  hard  matlress,  rise 
simultaneously,  to  chant  the  Divine  Office,  spend 
at  least  two  hours  each  night  at  prayer,  and  are 
familiar  with  the  use  of  the  discipline,  hair-shirt, 
etc.  In  a  word,  their  mortifications  are  continual 
and  rigorous.  Now  these  extraordinary  penances 
were  what  especially  attracted  Margaret  Bour- 
geois to  join  them.  But  in  order  to  act  prudently, 
and  learn  the  will  of  God  clearly  regarding  her 
vocation,  she  addressed  herself  to  M.  Antoine 
Jandret,  a  virtuous  and  enlightened  priest,  who 
was  confessor  to  the  Carmelites.  Having  heard 
her  attentively,  he  was  struck  with  admiration  at 
the  manner  in  wliich   God  was  working  in  her 


52 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


soul.  She  continued  for  some  time  to  be  his 
ypenitent,  and  after  he  had  made  trial  of  her  vir- 
tue, he  no  longer  hesitated  to  propose  her  as  a 
subject  to  the  Carmelites. 

The  chapter  met  to  discuss  the  matter,  but 
some  changes  in  her  exterior  manner  of  living 
(the  motives  of  which  they  did  not  know)  led 
them  to  suppose  that  her  disposition  was  frivo- 
lous and  volatile ;  and  they  refused  to  admit  her. 
But  it  was  not  there  Almighty  God  mtended  her 
to  become  a  religicuse,  and  their  refusal  did  not 
lessen  her  esteem  for  the  austerities  practised  by 
them,  and  on  which  she  modelled  her  own  pen- 
ances for  the  remainder  of  her  life.  Neither  did 
a  first  refusal  discourage  her;  on  the  contrary, 
she  redoubled  her  prayers  to  learn  the  will  of 
God,  and  it  pleased  His  divine  Majesty  to  unfold 
to  the  eyes  of  her  soul,  gradually  but  clearly,  his 
designs  regarding  her.  Being  rejected  by  the 
Carmelites,  she  next  sought  admission  into  the 
extern  congregation  of  young  girls,  at  Troyes. 
It  will  be  necessary  to  give  some  explanation  of 
this  society,  as  the  singular  graces  accorded  to 
Sister  Bourgeois  while  she  was  one  of  its  mem- 
bers influenced  her  very  much  in  the  formation 
of  the  congregation  she  afterwards  founded. 

There  existed  in  Troyes  another  convent  of  re- 
ligieuses  known  as  the  "  Congregation  of  Notre 
Dame,"  who  were  founded  by  P^re  Fourier,  cur^ 
of  Martincourt,  a  man  eminent  for  piety.    They 


f 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


53 


were  cloistered  nuns,  who  added  to  the  ordinary 
duties  of  a  religious  life  the  education  of  young 
girls.  This  duty  they  discharged  within  the 
cloister,  and  without  secular  assistance.  The 
Ursulines  conducted  their  schools  more  publicly, 
and  had  established  several  successful  missions. 
The  former,  therefore,  were  obliged  to  use  as 
auxiliaries  a.  extern  congregation  composed  of 
virtuous  young  girls,  who  lived  in  their  own 
families,  but  assembled  on  Sundays  and  festivals 
for  the  exercise  of  wjorks  of  charity.  They  went 
two  and  two  together,  wherever  the  glory  of  God 
or  the  good  of  their  neighbors  required,  always 
subject  to  the  appointment  of  the  religieuses. 
Most  of  the  young  ladies  of  the  city  belonged  to 
this  association,  which  was  of  course  secular  (en- 
closure not  being  suitable  to  their  work),  and  they 
willingly  admitted  Margaret  Bourgeois  among 
them.  It  was  in  this  edifying  association  that 
God  manifested  his  designs  on  her  future  life, 
and  it  was  for  her  a  real  apprenticeship  in  the 
school  of  virtue.  Once  received,  she  was  soon 
distinguished  for  zeal  and  fervor,  and  was  to  be 
seen  everywhere,  exercising  the  duties  of  Chris- 
tian charity.  Her  distinguishing  trait,  however, 
was  the  instruction  of  the  ignorant,  and  teaching 
young  girls  the  principles  of  religion,  as  well  as 
the  rudiments  of  education.  It  may  be  truly 
said  of  her  from  that  period,  that  the  animating 
principle  of  all  her  actions  was  to  unite  them  in 


54 


VENERABIM  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


Spirit  with  the  human  actions  of  the  Mother  of 
God. 

She  never  relaxed  in  her  efforts  to  imitate  this 
high  model  of  sanctity,  and  never  ceased  by  word 
and  example  to  animate  the  Christian  virgins 
who  afterwards  joined  her  religious  order  to  imi- 
tate as  closely  as  human  infirmity  would  permit, 
the  daily  actions  of  Mary  during  her  sojourn  on 
earth.  To  quote  her  own  words  will  best  exem- 
plify her  spirit.  She  said  :  "  Our  Lord  before  His 
ascension  into  heaven  left  behind  Him  on  earth 
a  kind  of  congregation  or  community  that  would 
embrace  persons  of  every  condition  of  life,  the 
first  superior  being  His  own  divine  Mother.  The 
holy  spirit  in  the  Gospel  has  given  us  the  name 
of  this  community,  which  had  a  two-fold  object, 
and  was  to  serve  as  a  model  for  all  future  asso- 
ciations of  women  to  be  established  in  the 
Church.  This  was  no  other  than  *  the  community 
of  Magdalen  and  Martha,'  the  disciples  and  friends 
of  Christ.  The  first  represented  religious  con- 
gregations devoted  to  prayer  and  contemplation 
in  the  cloister.  While  Martha  was  to  be  a  model 
for  those  who  devote  themselves  to  the  service 
of  their  neighbor.  But  the  Blessed  Virgin  re- 
served to  herself  the  duty  of  instruction.  She 
was  the  Mother  and  mistress  of  the  rising  Church, 
which  she  formed  and  trained  to  the  practise  of 
virtue,  by  word  and  example.  Not  that  she  un- 
dertook to  preach   the  Gospel,  which  was  the 


i: 


VIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


55 


Dther  of 

tate  this 
by  word 
virgins 
r  to  imi- 
permit, 
iourn  on 
st  exem- 
^fore  His 
on   earth 
at  would 
life,  the 
er.     The 
he  name 
d  object, 
re  Esso- 
in   the 
munity 
friends 
js  con- 
plation 
la  model 
service 
|rgin  re- 
She 
hurch, 
tise  of 
he  Un- 
as the 


mission  of  the  Apostles,  but  she  instructed  the 
little  ones  in  the  virtues  of  poverty  and  humility, 
of  which  she  herself  made  profession,  knowing 
that  the  majority  of  the  followers  of  Christ 
would  be  the  poor  and  lowly.  Thus  was  she  the 
true  model  of  a  missionary  congregation." 

By  such  admirable  sentiments  as  these  did  she 
excite  her  companions  to  fervor  in  the  discharge 
of  their  several  duties.  Yet  her  labors  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  externs  at  Troyes  did  not  satisfy  her. 
She  felt  that  God  required  more  from  her,  al- 
though He  had  not  yet  manifested  his  will,  so 
she  again  determined  to  seek  admission  into  a 
religious  house,  applying  this  time  to  the  "  Poor 
Clares."  It  is  true  she  saw  nothing  in  their  in- 
stitute that  corresponded  to  her  ardent  desire  of 
consecrating  herself  to  the  service  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  and  of  laboring  for  the  salvation  of  souls, 
but  she  felt  she  would  be  unfaithful  to  grace  if 
she  did  not  make  another  effort  to  find  out  the 
will  of  God  concerning  her  vocation.  She  there- 
fore consulted  her  director,  who  advised  her  to 
present  herself  for  admission,  which  she  did,  but 
as  before,  met  with  a  humiliating  refusal,  as  it 
was  not  there  either,  that  Almighty  God  in- 
tended to  make  use  of  her  for  His  glory,  and  He 
took  this  means  of  putting  her  humility  to  the 
test,  and  proving  and  perfecting  her  virtue. 

The  first  refusal  of  the  Carmelites  only  served 
to  animate   her  to  greater  perfection,  and   she 


il''  >i. 

M 


\ ' 


56 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


Ml'Iii 


i ;  :i 


I  ^-t 


made  the  same  use  of  this  second  mortifying  re- 
jection.    Being  more  and  more  impressed  with  a 
desire  to  consecrate  herself  to  God,  she  resolved 
on  making  a  vow  of  perpetual  chastity,  first  ac- 
quainting M.  Landret,  her  confessor,  with  her  in- 
tention. He  was  a  prudent  man,  and  thought  that 
circumstanced  as  she  was,  she  mJght  sometime  re- 
pent having  made  the  vow,  or  something  might 
occur  to  change  her  resolution,  and  therefore  told 
her  to  postpone  such  a  promise  until  she  was  at 
least  thirty  years   old,  being  then  twenty-two. 
She  submitted  to  his  decision  in  silence,  as  hum- 
bly as  if  God  had  spoken.     He  soon  changed  his 
opinion,  however,  being  convinced  by  her  sub- 
mission that  God  was  operating  great  things  in 
her  soul,  and  permitted  her  to  follow  her  inclina- 
tion by  consecrating  her  virginity  to  Jesus,  which 
she  did  with  fervor  on  the  Feast  of  St.  Thomas 
the  Apostle,  December  21st,  1643,  being  in  her 
twenty-third  year.     Shortly  after  she  added  the 
vow  of  poverty,  and  from  that  time  her  career  of 
sanctity  was  unmistakable.     She  advanced  in  vir- 
tue as  she  advanced  in  age,  and  the  practise  of 
every  good  work,  and  held  the  of!ice  of  Prefect 
of  the  extern  congregation  for  many  years.     In 
1647,  her  father  falling  dangerously  sick,  she  at- 
tended him  with  all  the  love  and  charity  that 
might   be   expected  from  such  a  daughter,  and 
had   the   consolation   of   seeing  him  die  full  of 
hope  and  trust   in  the  mercy  of  God.     She  ar- 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


57 


ranged  his  body  in  the  coffin  with  her  own  hands, 
although  others  were  willing  to  spare  her  the 
performance  of  that  duty  of  filial  love,  and  the 
pious  practice  of  preparing  the  dead  for  burial 
she  ever  after  continued  in  Canada,  until  strength 
and  life  failed  her,  although  it  was  often  repug- 
nant to  her  feelings. 

As  M.  Jandret  knew  the  humiliation  she  en- 
dured by  being  refused  admission  in  two  religious 
orders,  and  knew  also  her  virtues,  he  did  not  feel 
justified  in  advising  anything  that  would  stifle 
the  operations  of  divine  grace  in  her  soul.  He 
was,  moreover,  an  eye-witness  of  her  successful  ef- 
forts in  instructing  young  girls,  both  secularly  and 
religiously,  and  thought  it  might  be  pleasing  to 
God  to  associate  with  her  other  pious  young  per- 
sons, who  could  easily  be  found  in  the  congrega- 
tion of  which  she  was  Prefect,  and  establish  them 
permanently  in  the  discharge  of  that  duty.  He 
accordingly  made  the  proposal  to  her,  which  she 
did  not  refuse,  believing  it  v/ould  contribute  to  the 
glory  of  God,  and  be  a  means  of  accomplishing 
His  will.  In  order  to  act  prudently,  however, 
M.  Jandret  consulted  his  superior,  M.  deTheo- 
loyal,  of  the  cathedral  of  Troyes,  who  assured 
him  that  the  project  was  a  wise  one,  and  the 
two  priests  in  concert  drew  up  a  formula  of  rules 
which  they  judged  fit  to  lead  those  for  whom 
they  were  intended  securely  in  the  path  of  Chris- 
tian perfection.     M.  le  Theoloyal  went  to  Paris 


>  \ 


'» 


58 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


-vi*^ 


to  submit  the  rules  to  the  doctors  of  the  Sor- 
bonne,  who  decided  in  their  favor,  and  advised 
that  they  be  reduced  to  practice. 

Two  virtuous  young  ladies  were  thereupon  as- 
sociated with  Margaret  Bourgeois,  and  Mme.  dc 
Chuly,  of  whom  we  shall  have  occasion  to  speak 
more  at  length,  gave  them  a  i  apartment  in  her 
own  house  to  make  the  experiment.  In  propos- 
ing the  rules  to  these  pious  young  women,  the 
persons  who  had  written  and  approved  of  them 
had  undoubtedly  the  future  in  view,  but  God  had 
still  wiser  and  other  designs.  It  was  only  a  prep- 
aration or  foundation  for  the  rules  and  constitu- 
tions that  Margaret,  many  years  after,  sought  to 
have  approved  in  France  for  the  government  of 
the  Community  she  established  at  Ville-Marie, 
she  and  her  first  companions  having  had  a  most 
happy  experience  of  them  during  their  early  re- 
ligious life.  They  engaged  zealously  in  the  edu- 
cation of  the  children  confided  to  their  care, 
always  making  moral  training  the  principal  object, 
but  most  especially  did  they  seek  to  guard  those 
whose  surroundings  endangered  their  virtue. 
On  one  occasion,  a  set  of  libertines  managed  to 
entice  a  poor  but  honest  girl  away  from  home. 
Margaret  Bourgeois  fortunately  heard  of  the  in- 
tended outrage,  and  taking  a  crucifix  in  her  hand 
fearlessly  followed  the  rufiians  in  order  to  rescue 
the  girl.  Without  taking  any  notice  of  the  vio- 
lence  they  threatened,  as  they  were  well  armed. 


OJ^i. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


59 


the  Sor- 
I  advised 

;upon  as- 
Mme.  dc 
to  speak 
tit  in  her 
n  propos- 
omen,  the 
1  of  them 
t  God  had 
ily  a  prep- 
l  constitu- 
sought  to 
nment  of 
lille-Marie, 
,d  a  most 
early  re- 
the  edu- 
[heir  care, 
al  object, 
ard  those 
r    virtue, 
naged  to 
m  home, 
f  the  in- 
her  hand 
to  rescue 
the  vio- 
lU  armed, 


she  spoke  so  forcibly  of  the  judgments  of  God, 
that  would  inevitably  fall  on  them  if  they  per- 
sisted in  their  diabolical  purpose,  that  they  re- 
tired in  confusion,  leaving  the  trembling  girl  at 
liberty,  and  overpowered  with  gratitude  for  her 
benefactress.  She  afterwards  became  one  of 
Margaret's  life-long  companions,  and  accompanied 
her  to  Canada,  where  she  was  known  as  Sister 
Crolo.  But  the  trial  establishment  of  M.  Jan- 
dret  did  not  last  very  long.  One  of  the  two  as- 
sociates died,  and  the  other  left,  so  that  Mar- 
garet, finding  herself  alone,  was  forced  to  aban- 
don a  position  in  which  she  could  not  succeed 
without  companions,  and  again  occupied  herself 
as  a  simple  congregationalist.  The  mortified  life 
she  had  thus  been  leading  for  years,  always  un- 
certain of  the  future,  and  without  a  particle  of 
human  consolation,  could  not  fail  to  draw  down 
upon  her  signal  favors  from  heaven,  and  those 
she  experienced  were  of  the  most  precious  kind. 
Almighty  God  favored  her  many  times  with  in- 
effable and  sweet  consolations  when  she  ap- 
proached Holy  Communion.  The  fire  of  divine 
love  then  burned  so  ^'ividly  in  her  heart  that  she 
could  hardly  refrain  from  letting  appear  exte- 
riorly the  ecstatic  joy  with  which  her  soul  was  in- 
undated. Once  she  saw  Our  Lord  in  the  Holy 
Host  during  Mass,  in  the  form  of  a  little  child, 
of  a  ravishing  and  incomparable  beauty,  and 
by  such  a  singular  favor  we  may  easily  judge 


^       VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

of  the  state  of   her  soul  at  that  period  of  her 
life. 

On  the  Feast  of  the  Assumption,  1650,  which 
was  the  principal  Feast  of  the  externs,  she  was 
appointed  to  remain  in  adoration  before  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  during  the  annual  procession 
in  honor  of  the  holy  Virgin,  which  was  that  day 
held.  After  remaining  a  considerable  time  in 
prayer  she  felt  suddenly  inspired  to  raise  her  eyes 
and  look  at  the  holy  Host  in  the  ostensorium.  A 
vision  of  the  Redeemer  was  distinctly  presented 
to  her,  and  she  was  so  profoundly  penetrated  with 
love  and  gratitude  that  earth  had  no  more  charms 
for  her  from  that  happy  hour.  Such  is  always  the 
effect  of  celestial  manifestations,  and  it  was  by 
these  favors  Almighty  God  prepared  the  soul  of 
His  servant  for  the  great  designs  He  had  upon 
her,  of  which  she  was  then  ignorant.  However, 
they  were  not  much  longer  unfolding,  and  we 
shall,  in  the  sequel,  everywhere  find  occasion  to 
notice  the  watchful  care  of  Divine  Providence 
and  the  marked  protection  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
over  the  colony  of  Ville-Marie,  over  Sister  Bour- 
geois herself,  and  over  the  Institute  of  the  Sisters 
of  the  Congregation. 


ii 


CHAPTER  V. 


MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,  AFTER  MANY  TRIALS  AND 
MORTIFICATIONS,  AT  LENGTH  SAILS  WITH  M. 
DE  MMSONNEUVE  FOR  CANADA. 

In  a  preceeding  chapter  we  have  spoken  of  M. 
de  Maisonneuve,  who  was  a  native  of  Champenois, 
and  consequently  a  fellow-countryman  of  Mar- 
garet Bourgeois — so  favorably  does  divine  Provi- 
dence dispose  the  course  of  future  events.  We 
have  also  seen  what  a  remarkable  chain  of  circum- 
stances led  to  his  appointment  as  first  Governor  of 
Montreal.  One  might  almost  consider  it  miracu- 
lous. He  laid  the  foundations  of  the  new  city, 
under  the  patronage  of  the  Blessed  Virgin- 
naming  it  Ville-Marie,  City  of  Mary.  He  had 
two  sisters  in  the  city  of  Troyes,  one  a  religieuse 
of  the  Congregation  of  Notre  Dame,  the  other  a 
secular  lady— Mme.  de  Chuly,  of  whom  mention 
has  been  made.  Before  he  left  France  he  con- 
fided  to  these  pious  ladies  his  views  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  religion,  and  his  intention  to  build  a 
city  in  honor  of  the  Mother  of  God  engaging 
them  to  unite  with  him  in  prayer  for  its  success. 

6i 


63 


VENERABLE  SJSTER  MARGA/iET  BOURGEOIS. 


As  soon  as  the  Congregation  Sisters  heard  of  the 
project  they  offered  to  accompany  him,  and  es- 
tablish in  the  New  World  a  community  of  their 
Order.  But  as  he  was  not  prepared  to  make 
such  an  establishment,  and  as  they  pressed  him 
very  urgently  to  comply,  he  contented  himself 
by  promising  that,  in  the  future,  if  both  parties 
agreed,  he  would  attempt  a  foundation.  As  a 
pledge  of  their  mu\tual  understanding,  they  pre- 
sented him  a  statue  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  on 
which  were  inscribed  the  following  words: 
"  Sainte  M^re  de  Dieu,  et  Vierge  au  Coeur  loyal, 
Gardez  nous  une  place,  en  votre  Mont-Royal." 

It  is  true   there  was  to  be,  in  the  new  city,  a 
community  of  Christian  virgins  specially  devoted 
to  Mary,  but  it  was  not  the  religieuses  of  Troyes 
God  intended  to  be   there,  and   so   the   matter 
ended.     Three  years  after,  when  M.  de  Maison- 
neuve  returned  to  France  to  procure  assistance! 
for  Ville-Marie,  he  again  visited  these  religieuses,' 
who  importuned  him  anew  to  take  some  of  themi 
to  Canada,  but  he  assured  them  as  before  thatmat- 
ters  were   not   sufficiently  matured  in  the  New] 
World   for  the  establishment   of  a  cloistered  Sl«; 
terhood.     So   neither  party  took  any  moi      je-j 
cisive  step  than  a  renewal  of  good  wishes,  ana  in^ 
definite  promises  for  the  future.     Divine  Provi-] 
dence,  meanwhile,  was  quietly  preparing  the  waj 
for  the  accomplishment  of  its  inscrutable  designs) 
not  yet  manifested.     While   these  good   ladies 


'RGEOJS. 


W'ere    filled    with    nrH     .    t^  ^ 

future  of  their  ?a„adtltab??  °'  ''''=  "-^ 
Mourgoois  had  many  bule  •'"'-■"''  '^"e-^"'' 
'hem,  being  Prefect  of  threTte;""'""  ^^'^'^ 
connected  with  their  mon..f  '-'""S'-egation 

'ar  virtue  being  very  we^     '^'  ^"'^  ''^^  =""2"^ 
her  confidentiaVoTtre'  "'  ^''^^  «P°ke  to 

had  so  much  at   hear    f       ^"''"'^  '"'■^^'•°"  they 
did  not  wish  to  be  one  onl""*'^  ""'"^  '"'  ^he 
Marie.     This  was  plaTnl v  .    T-"  '"'"'"''  f°^  Ville- 
not  object  to  her  Jo  nine  the"    "'  '"''  "^^^  -°"'d 
J'ough   God    <//^\-St     ToTT'^J    ^"'' 
did  «^/ intend  her  for  th;,f  n^  ^^''''^^'   «« 

'"ade  no  other  reply  to  thei^         '  ^^^'^'^^or,,  she 

'^he  desired  to  do  the  wi  I  of  r ''?°'''  "^^"  'hat 
heart,  whenever  and  wh  rel^t ""'  ""''  "hole 
to  manifest  it  to  her  A,T  ^'  ''°"''^  P'ease 
erto  met  with  refusals  on  =.??^  ''"  ^'^^  hith- 

'°  -hgious  comm  '„itie3 TetT  '"  '""'■"■"" 
eouraged,  and  the  propoS  of  th  r""''  "°'  '^'■^■ 
^■on  only  incited  her  t„  ,  Canadian  mis- 

;;th  more  ardor  fiTaVbet™  the"'"  °1  ^°''' 

^^''■-     'f  her  spiritual  directors    k„n°"^^'  '^^ 

■'        cisions  were  the  ,,=7  i  """""""g  that 

-    "  the  direction'   souTs  Tf  ^^  T^"^^^ 

-nsulted.  advised  her  to  thL       -■'     ''"'^"'^'■"S 

■"atter,  as  it  seemed  to  V  '^"""''^  °"  'he 

of  God   she  .   ou  d  go   ;:  c  ""'f '  "^  '"^  -" 

diffidinginh      owni^hthe,"  "°"^^^^' 

to  consult  M      ertuis  anot'h.    '^"""«e"ded  her 

"u.s  another  experienced  priest, 


64 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGA  RET  BOURGEOIS. 


who  was  of  the  same  opinion  with  the  former, 
and  both  advised  her  to  ask  advice  of  the  Bishop 
of  Troyes.  This  distinguished  prelate  being  ab- 
sent at  the  time,  she  had  recourse  to  M.  Rose, 
his  vicar  general,who  counselled  her  at  once  to  go 
to  Canada,  as  it  seemed  to  be  the  will  of  God 
she  should.  Having  thus  taken  every  precaution 
that  prudence  suggested  to  learn  the  divine  will. 
Sister  Bourgeois  no  longer  doubted  of  her  vocation 
for  Canada,  but  God  had  not  yet  declared  either 
the  time  or  the  manner  of  her  going.  It  was 
natural  to  suppose  she  would  accompany  the  reli- 
gieuses  of  the  Congregation,  but  the  Great  Dis- 
poser of  events  ordained  differently.  During  all 
this  time,  the  savage  Iroquois  had  repeated  their 
attacks  on  the  people  of  Montreal  with  the  wild- 
est fury.  Men,  women,  and  children  fell  beneath 
the  tomahawk,  and  in  165 1,  M.  de  Maissonneuve 
was  obliged  to  return  a  second  time  to  France 
for  military  assistance.  On  these  occasions  he 
never  failed  to  go  to  the  city  of  Troyes,  to  visit 
the  members  of  his  family  who  resided  there,  and 
also  to  pay  a  visit  of  respect  to  the  religieuses  of 
the  Congregation,  for  whom  he  entertained  a  sin- 
cere friendship,  his  sister  being  a  member  of  the 
communitj^  On  the  eve  of  his  arrival,  Sister 
Bourgeois  had  a  singular  prediction  of  the  future. 
She  saw  in  a  dream,  a  grave,  venerable-looking 
man,  dressed  like  an  ecclesiastic,  standing  silently 
before  her.    The  form  and  features  of  the  man, 


EOIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


65 


e  former, 
le  Bishop 
being  ab- 
M.  Rose, 
Dnce  to  go 
11  of  God 
)recaution 
ivine  will, 
r  vocation 
red  either 
.     It  was 
ly  the  reli- 
3reat  Dis- 
During  all 
:ated  their 
,  the  wild- 
11  beneath 
ssonneuve 
o  France 
asions  he 
|s,  to  visit 
here,  and 
ieuses  of 
Ined  a  sin- 
er  of  the 
|al.  Sister 
e  future. 
|e-looking 
silently 
the  man, 


who  was  not  then  known  to  her,  remained  dis- 
tinctly imprinted  on  her  imagination,  and  she 
had  an  indefinable  inspiration  that  he  was  to  be 
in  some  way  connected  with  the  work  for  which 
God  intended  her.  She  related  the  dream  to  some 
of  her  friends,  and  three  days  afterwards  M.  de 
Maisonneuve  arrived  at  Troyes.  He  called  at 
the  Convent,  when  as  usual  the  subject  of  the 
proposed  foundation  at  Ville-Marie  was  discussed. 
Sister  Bourgeois  was  sent  for,  that  her  opinion 
might  be  heard  with  the  others.  On  entering  the 
parlor,  the  first  person  that  attracted  her  atten- 
tion was  the  strange  gentleman,  who  corresponded 
exactly  to  the  person  she  had  seen  in  her  dream. 
Struck  with  astonishment,  she  could  not  help  ex- 
claiming, "  Behold  the  priest  of  my  dream." 
She  was  requested  to  relate  the  dream,  which  she 
did  quite  simply,  and  as  a  matter  of  course,  had  to 
submit  to  a  good  deal  of  badinage  about  her 
vision,  as  they  called  it,  but  jest  soon  turned  to 
earnest,  and  before  parting  M.  de  Maisonneuve 
and  Sister  Bourgeois  conceived  a  lasting  friendship 
for  each  other.  He  asked  if  she  would  like  to  go 
to  Montreal  and  teach  a  primary  school  for  girls,  to 
which  she  promptly  replied  that  nothing  would 
afford  her  greater  pleasure,  and  that  nothing  was 
more  suited  to  her  inclinations.  By  her  reply  he 
understood  that  Divine  Providence  had  fitted  her 
for  the  New  World,  although  he  had  not  the 
most  remote  idea  of  the  great  things  intended  to 


m 


66       VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

be  accomplished  by  her  ever-increasing  zeal.  In 
the  then  state  of  the  colony  he  felt  convinced 
that  nothing  was  more  conducive  to  its  welfare 
than  the  Christian  education  of  children,  and  as 
the  inhabitants  were  few,  one  skilful  mistress 
would  easily  suffice  ;  nor  could  he,  at  the  time, 
procure  a  suitable  dwelling  for  more.  He  ac- 
cepted the  offer  of  Sister  Bourgeois  on  the  spot, 
and  the  religieuses  thanked  him  for  even  that 
concession,  awaiting,  as  they  said,  a  happier 
occasion  for  the  foundation  they  so  eagerly  de- 
sired. The  occasion,  however,  never  presented 
itself,  and  they  seemed  to  have  some  such  pre- 
sentiment, as  they  charged  Margaret  Bourgeois 
with  breach  of  faith  in  accepting  the  proposal 
without  their  consent.  Seeing  they  were  touched 
with  a  sort  of  holy  jealousy,  she  pleasantly  re- 
plied, that  if  she  had  promised  to  go  with  them 
to  Ville-Marie,  she  was  ready  to  fulfil  her  promise, 
but  if  she  had  not  made  the  promise,  or  if  they 
delayed  too  long,  she  should  certainly  go  without 
them. 

As  soon  as  Mile.  Crolo  (whom  she  so  heroi- 
cally saved  from  dishonor)  heard  of  her  deter- 
mination to  cross  the  sea,  she  begged  with  much 
earnestness  to  accompany  her,  but  this  M.  de 
Maisonneuve  would  not  permit  at  the  time,  be- 
cause he  was  bringing  a  regiment  of  soldiers  to 
the  New  World,  for  the  defence  of  Ville-Marie. 
This   circumstance    frightened  Sister  Bourgeois 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


6; 


very  much,  as  she  found  herself  alone,  and  with- 
out escort,  in  the  midst  of  a  troop  of  soldiers, 
Her  modesty' was  alarmed,  and  she  sought  her 
confessor's  advice  in  the  new  danger.  He  told 
her  that  to  judge  according  to  the  ordinary  rules 
of  prudence,  it  would  be  unsafe  for  an  unmarried 
female  to  undertake  a  voyage  of  so  much  conse- 
quence, unaccompanied  by  one  of  her  own  sex, 
but  that  in  her  case,  there  were  so  many  marks  of 
a  particular  providence,  the  common  rules  of 
prudence  might  be  set  aside,  and  as  he  knew  the 
exalted  character  of  M.  de  Alaisonneuve,  he  said 
to  his  penitent,  confidently,  **  Go,  repose  entire 
trust  in  the  prudence  of  that  gentleman;  he  will 
be  the  guardian  of  your  chastity,  as  he  is  one  of 
the  first  chevaliers  of  the  Queen  of  Angels." 
But  even  this  assurance  did  not  calm  her  fears, 
until  the  Blessed  Virgin  herself  reassured  her. 
One  morning  before  she  arose,  being  fully  awake, 
and  occupied  with  holy  thoughts,  a  lady  clothed 
in  dazzling  white  robes,  and  of  extraordinary 
beauty,  suddenly  stood  before  her,  and  said, 
slowly  and  distinctly:  "Go  to  Canada.  I  will 
never  abandon  you."  After  which  the  glorious 
vision  disappeared.  Margaret's  heart  was  filled 
with  strength  and  joy,  because  she  knew  the 
peerless  Mother  of  God  had  spoken  to  her. 
When  M.  Jandret  heard  it  he  rejoiced  exceed- 
ingly, and  predicted  great  results  from  the  voyage, 
even  hinting  that  she  might  possibly  be  able  to 


.'■'fii 


Ml  h ' 


68       VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGA  RET  BO URGEOIS. 

form  in  Canada  the  community  they  had  both 
failed  to  establish  in  Troyes.  She  replied  that 
nothing  was  further  from  her  thoughts  than  the 
establishment  of  any  community,  more  especially, 
as  she  was  to  live  alone  at  Ville-Marie.  "  Nev- 
ertheless," responded  the  good  priest,  "  my  good 
angel  and  yours  shall  be  the  first  members."  Sat- 
isfied with  the  pious  ideas  thus  suggested,  she 
quietly  set  to  work  at  the  preparations  for  the 
voyage  across  the  Atlantic,  which  was  then  con- 
sidered a  very  extraordinary  affair.  M.  de 
Maisonneuve  told  her  they  would  set  sail  at  the 
end  of  May,  it  being  then  February,  that  the  em- 
barkation would  take  place  at  Nantes,  in  Bre- 
tagne,  and  advised  her  to  be  there  in  advance  of 
him.  Ke  also  gave  her  a  letter  of  recommendation 
to  M.  le  Coq,  a  merchant  of  that  city,  requesting 
him  to  offer  her  the  hospitalities  of  his  home 
during  her  stay,  and  promising  to  rejoin  her  as 
soon  as  his  business  was  satisfactorily  arranged. 
Everything  else  he  left  to  her  own  prudence  and 
discretion.  Any  other  person,  except  Sister 
Bourgeois,  or  an  apostle,  would  have  prepared  a 
good  supply  of  clothing,  and  pro^'ided  a  sufficient 
sum  of  money  for  so  long  a  journe^ ,  but  she  being 
fully  convinced  that  to  follow  Jesus  Christ  it  v/as 
necessary  to  forsake  all  things,  began  by  despoil- 
ing herself  of  what  she  possessed,  bestowing  her 
money  and  clothing  on  the  poor,  and  reserving 
nothing  except  a  little  package  of  linen,  in  order 


^ 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


69 


to  appear  decent.  She  carried  the  package  to 
the  ship  herself,  feeling  that  no  one  was  worthy 
of  wearing  the  livery  of  Christ,  who  was  not 
poor  and  lowly  like  Him.  She  had  not  as  yet 
\  informed  her  relations  of  her  intention  to  leave 
the  land  of  her  birth,  that  she  might  escape  their 
solicitations  to  remain  where  she  was  known  and 
loved.  Therefore  she  resolved  to  go  to  Paris  on 
the  pretext  of  business.  At  the  same  time,  her 
uncle,  M.  Cossard,  who  was  guardian  of  the  minors 
of  her  family,  and  Mme.  de  Chuly,  with  whom 
she  was  residing,  had  each  occasion  to  go  to 
Paris,  and  so  all  three  travelled  in  the  same  con- 
veyance. This  was  on  the  6th  of  February,  1653, 
Margaret  Bourgeois  being  thirty-three  years  old. 
It  was  thirty-six  leagues  from  Troyes  to  Paris, 
and  when  they  were  some  distance  on  the  road, 
she  told  them  her  intention  for  the  first  time,  de- 
claring that  she  had  left  Troyes  never  to  return, 
and  that  she  went  to  Paris  only  to  take  the  route 
for  Canada,  whither  she  was  to  accompany  M.de 
Maisonneuve.  Her  companions  supposed  she  was 
talking  to  amuse  either  herself  or  them,  and  were 
not  in  the  least  disturbed  by  her  declaration, 
nor  convinced  of  the  reality,  until  they  arrived  at 
Paris.  Then  she  requested  her  uncle  to  conduct 
her  to  a  notary's  office,  as  she  had  business  to 
transact.  He  complied  with  her  request,  but 
was  astonished  beyond  measure  when  she  assured 
him  seriously  that  she  was  going  to  relinquish, 


70 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


by  a  legal  procedure,  all  that  might  revert  to 
her  of  the  family  inheritance,  and  place  it  in  his 
hands  for  the  benefit  of  the  two  children  who 
were  minors,  knowing  that  her  trust  would  not  be 
misplaced,  as  he  was  their  guardian.  She  had 
already  made  the  sacrifice  interiorly,  many  years 
jjefore,  by  the  vow  of  poverty,  and  she  now 
determined  to  make  it  legally,  in  a  manner  not 
to  be  reversed.  M.  Cossard  endeavored  to  dis- 
suade his  niece  from  such  an  absurdity,  as  it  ap- 
peared to  him,  but  his  eloquence  and  reasoning 
were  useless,  and  the  property  was  deeded  away. 
He  next  tried  to  convince  her  that  her  vocation 
was  chimerical,  and  the  result  of  a  sort  of  relig- 
ous  enthusiasm,  which  would  die  a  natural  death. 
And  lest  his  rhetoric  should  not  produce  the 
desired  effect,  he  started  back  to  Troyes,  where 
she  was  universally  known  and-  esteemed,  to  tell 
the  news,  and  call  to  his  aid  the  sympathies  of 
her  friends.  As  a  matter  of  course,  every  one 
disapproved  of  her  proceedings  (when  was  any- 
thing undertaken  for  the  glory  of  God,  approved 
of  by  the  children  of  this  world?),  and  she  was 
overwhelmed  with  letters  from  all  quarters,  con- 
taining criticisms  on  her  conduct,  and  assuring 
her  that  she  was  acting  a  very  foolish  part.  But 
her  constancy  remained  unshaken,  as  conscience 
told  her  her  resolution  was  made  for  the  glory  of 
God.  This  trial  was  followed  by  two  others,  which 
were  calculated  either  to  unsettle  or  confirm  her 


revert  to 
t  it  in  his 
dren  who 
uld  not  be 
She  had 
any  years 
she    now 
inner  not 
id  to  dis- 
,  as  it  ap- 
reasoning 
ded  away, 
r  vocation 
t  of  relig- 
iral  death, 
duce  the 
es,  where 
d,  to  tell 
athies  of 
jvery  one 
was  any- 
pproved 
she  was 
ers,  con- 
assuring 
irt.     But 
|>nscience 
glory  of 
rs,  which 
Ifirm  her 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


71 


vocation,  as,  under  the  guise  of  prudence,  a 
seemingly  greater  good  was  proposed.  In  fact, 
a  person  less  enlightened  in  the  ways  of  God 
would  have  wavered  at  this  period  of  her  life. 
During  her  sojourn  in  Paris,  she  resided  with  a 
certain  Mme.  de  Bellevue,  a  woman  of  merit  and 
and  virtue,  but  who,  it  must  be  acknowledged, 
used  her  tongue  pretty  freely  on  certain  occa- 
sions. 

This  lady  had  two  distinguished  brothers,  one 
a  canon  of  la  Sainte  Chapelle,  the  other  being  Pro- 
vincial of  the  Carmelites  in  the  Province  of  Paris. 
Both  gentlemen  were  informed  of  the  arrival  of 
the  lady  from  Troyes,  whom  Mme.  Bellevue 
described  as  wonderfully  as  possible.  However, 
they  learned  from  herself  two  things,  which  the 
devil  endeavored  to  turn  to  his  advantage ;  first, 
that  she  was  on  the  point  of  going  alone  to 
Montreal  with  M.  de  Maisonneuve,  and  second, 
that  she  had  at  one  time  a  strong  inclination  to 
join  the  Carmelite  Order,  which  had  so  far  refused 
to  receive  her.  These  good  people  conceived  a 
high  idea  of  her  sanctity  during  her  short  stay 
among  them,  and  persuaded  themselves  they 
would  be  doing  her  a  service,  if  they  could  induce 
her  to  give  up  the  Canadian  mission.  The  news 
of  the  murderous  attack  of  the  savages  on  the 
colonists  of  Montreal  had  reached  them,  and  they 
made  the  most  of  the  information.  They  even 
represented  M.  de  Maisonneuve  as  a  dangerous 


72 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


man,  who  was  quite  capable  of  abusing  her  con- 
fidence, and  although  she  would  not  permit  herself 
to  believe  such  an  assertion,  she  experienced  much 
interior  trouble.  In  this  perplexity  of  mind,  she 
sought  advice  from  M.  Carme,  a  holy  priest  who 
held  her  in  great  veneration.  To  console  her,  he 
promised  to  procure  her  admission  into  any  Con- 
vent of  the  Carmelite  Order  in  the  province,  that 
she  should  select.  It  was  human  policy  to  attack 
her  weak  side,  if  she  had  any ^  touching  the  Car- 
melites, and  the  temptation  to  abandon  her 
original  design  was  so  much  the  more  pressing, 
as  she  still  had  a  greater  desire  to  embrace  and 
practise  the  austerities  of  Mt.  Carmel,  than  any 
other  order  of  the  Church.  She  had,  moreover,  time 
enough  to  deliberate,  and  although  she  secured  her 
seat  in  the  coach  from  Paris  to  Orleans,  which 
was  to  start  next  day,  she  now  gave  it  up,  fearing 
exceedingly  that  by  refusing  the  offer  made  her, 
she  would  be  refusing  the  will  of  God.  This  fear 
threw  her  into  an  agony  of  doubt.  It  was  only 
a  temptation,  however,  and  in  order  to  restore 
her  peace  of  mind,  she  went  to  the  Jesuits  of 
Saint  Antoine,  that  she  might  discover  more 
clearly,  if  possible,  me  will  of  God  by  the  decis- 
ion of  these  wise  directors.  The  Father  to  whom 
she  revealed  the  state  of  her  conscience  was  the 
oracle  destined  by  heaven  to  decide  her  vocation 
for  life.  After  hearing  the  wonderful  history  of 
God's  providence  over  her,  he  told  her  to  go  to 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


n 


Canada  without  fear,  and  leave  the  result  in  the 
hands  of  Mary  her  Mother.  A  great  and  blessed 
calm  instantly  succeeded  to  the  storm  that 
agitated  her  soul,  and  leaving  the  Jesuit  church, 
she  went  directly  to  the  Provincial  of  the  Car- 
melites to  thank  him  for  the  good  will  he  had 
shown  her,  and  without  more  ado,  again  took 
her  seat  in  the  coach  for  Orleans,  which  was  to 
leave  on  the  morrow.  But  this  was  not  the  least 
of  her  trials.  It  seemed  as  if  the  contemplated 
voyage  was  to  bring  upon  her  a  series  of  the 
saddest  and  most  insupportable  humiliations. 
As  there  was  no  female  travelling  with  her,  and 
as  she  evidently  possessed  nothing  but  the 
clothing  she  wore,  and  the  package  she  carried, 
her  companions  of  the  coach  made  her  feel  that 
they  regarded  her  as  an  adventuress,  who  ought 
not  be  admitted  into  honest  society.  When 
they  arrived  at  Orleans,  the  host  would  not  per- 
mit her  to  remain  at  the  inn,  although  she  begged 
humbly  and  tearfully  for  shelter  during  the  night, 
offering  to  sit  by  the  fire,  if  they  would  not  give 
her  a  room.  Seeing  her  reduced  to  the  extrem- 
ity of  staying  all  night  in  the  street  the  driver  of 
the  conveyance  offered  his  room  to  her.  He 
was  prompted  to  do  so,  however,  not  by  charit- 
able, but  by  criminal  motives.  In  her  ignorance 
of  the  man's  villany,  she  accepted  the  offer,  and 
remained  on  her  knees  in  prayer  till  the  sun  rose 
next  day.     Several  times  during  the  night,  this 


:^■^^?• 


74 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


person  and  his  depraved  associates  attempted  to 
force  open  her  door,  but  Margaret  Bourgeois  was 
safe  under  the  protection  of  Mary,  her  powerful 
guardian,  and  their  repeated  attempts  to  effect 
an  entrance  proved  unsuccessful.     In  the  morn- 
ing she  discovered  another  smaller  door  in  the 
room,  concealed  by  a  curtain.     This  opened  di- 
rectly into  the  scene  of  the  past  night's  debau- 
cheries, and  then  she  saw  the  horrors  she  escaped. 
Full  of  gratitude  to  the  Immacluatc  Mother  of 
God,  who   had   so   signally   preserved   her,   she 
prayed    and    wept   together.     Very  early  in  the 
morning  she  started  off  alone,  and  unobserved,  to 
continue  her  journey,  and  secured  a  passage  in 
the  boat  on  the  Loire,  which  had  twelve  other 
passengers.     Among   them  there   was  only    one 
woman,  who  carried  an  infant  in  her  arms.     Sis- 
ter Bourgeois  had  the  address  to  engage  the  en- 
tire party  in  exercises  of  piety  during  the  river 
journey,  which  lasted  several  days,  as  the  distance 
from  Orleans  to  Nantes  was  almost  one  hundred 
leagues.      Each    day   they  recited    together  the 
office  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  and  the  rosary,  after 
which  she  read  a  chapter  from  a   spiritual  -book, 
on  the  duties  of  a  Christian  life,  to  which  all  lis- 
tened   attentively.     One    Saturday  evening   she 
obtained  permission  from  the  captain  of  the  boat 
to  go  ashore,  and  enjoy  the  privilege  of  assisting 
at  Mass  on  Sunday;  which  was  a  favor  not  usu- 
ally accorded  to  the  passengers.     After  sailing  for 


VtiNKRABI.R  SlSri-R  At.lKGAR/-T  BOURGEOIS. 


75 


some  days  they  arrived  at  Saumur,  where  they 
made  a  short  stay,  as  the  boat  needed  repairs. 
Here  also  a  public  humiliation  awaited  this  ex- 
traordinary woman.  On  presenting  herself  at 
the  inn,  in  company  with  so  many  men,  suspicion 
again  closed  the  door  against  her.  She  was  told 
plainly  that  an  honest  woman  would  not  travel 
as  she  did,  and  that  the  credit  of  the  house  would 
be  injured,  by  receiving  her  as  a  guest ;  nor  did 
the  companions  of  her  journey  sympathize  with 
her  in  the  least,  on  receiving  the  insult,  although 
she  had  edified  them  very  much  since  they  left 
Orleans.  Such  marks  of  man's  inconstancy  fre- 
quently occur  in  every  grade  of  society.  How- 
ever, a  charitable  citizen  of  Saumur,  who  was 
present,  being  touched  with  compassion  by  the 
modesty  and  meekness  with  which  she  received 
the  affront,  offered  her  the  hospitality  of  his 
home,  which  she  gratefully  accepted.  It  is  re- 
markable that  these  cruel  insults  cooled  neither 
her  determination  nor  her  fervor;  on  the  con- 
trary, she  interiorly  rejoiced  at  the  high  honor 
God  conferred  upon  her,  by  permitting  her  to 
share  in  the  contempt  and  humiliation  of  His 
divine  Son,  whom  the  Jewish  rabble  maligned  and 
cursed,  and  almost  as  extraordinary  is  the  fact 
that  she  completely  regained  her  influence  over 
her  inconstant  fellow-travellers,  when  they  again 
met  on  the  boat  to  continue  their  route.  They 
arrived  at  Nantes  three  or  four  days  afterwards. 


76 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


m.  ill 


ii'ii 


m^ 


One  of  the  party  was  a  young  man  who  had  de- 
termined to  enlist  in  M.  de  Maisonneuve's  regi- 
ment for  Canada. 

He  had  many  opportunities  of  noticing  the  ex- 
alted virtue  of  Margaret  Bourgeois  during  the 
week,  and  politely  offered  to  carry  her  little 
package  when  they  left  the  boat.  Even  this  at- 
tention of  Christian  charity  drew  upon  her  a  fresh 
humiliation.  Accompained  by  the  stranger,  she 
enquired  for  the  residence  of  M.  le  Coq,  merchant 
of  Nantes,  which  was  the  address  given  her  by 
M.  de  Maisonneuve,  but  the  gentleman  was  not 
known  by  that  name  in  the  city;  be  was  there 
styled  M.  de  la  Bassonni^rs.  She  walked  along 
every  street  in  Nantes  to  find  him,  and  was  about 
giving  up  in  despair,  when  she  suddenly  encoun- 
tered at  a  crossing  a  brusque,  buisness-looking 
man,  whom  she  timidly  requested  to  direct  her  to 
the  residence  of  M.  le  Coq.  •'/  am  the  person 
you  seek,  madame,"  he  replied,  "  and  if  I  mistake 
not,  you  are  the  lady  concerning  whom  M.  de 
Maisonneuve  wrote  me  a  few  days  since,"  hand- 
ing her  the  letter  of  her  friend  at  the  same  time. 
Margaret  was  very  agreeably  surprised  by  the 
providential  rencontre,  and  began  to  hope  that 
the  mortifications  of  her  eventful  journey  were 
drawing  to  a  close.  The  merchant  directed  her 
to  his  home,  which  was  not  far  distant,  and  as- 
suring her  of  a  hearty  welcome  from  his  wife,  left 
her  abruptly  to  attend  to  his  own  concerns.     On 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


77 


arriving  at  the  house,  she  met  Mme.  Ic  Coq,  who 
was  highly  indignant  to  learn  that  her  husband 
sent  her  a  young  woman  to  entertain,  accom- 
pained  by  a  rustic  who  carried  her  clothing.  *'  I 
will  positively  receive  no  such  people  into  my 
house,"  she  said,"  you  must  depart  forthwith." 
And  poor  weary  Sister  Bourgeois  did  depart,  but 
she  went  on  her  way  rejoicing  to  suffer  reproach 
for  the  cause  of  Jesus,  and  entered  a  neighboring 
church,  where,  at  that  very  hour,  was  being  held 
a  procession  in  honor  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament. 
She  assisted  devoutly  at  the  ceremony,  and  as  she 
was  not  easily  disconcerted  by  the  repulses  which 
were  now  becoming  familiar  to  her,  and  also  being 
fortified  by  prayer,  she  coolly  determined  to  pay 
another  visit  to  Mme.  le  Coq.  Being  an  utter 
stranger  to  the  strong-minded  woman,  she  was 
severely  reproached  for  permitting  a  young  man 
to  carry  her  package,  but  as  M.  le  Coq  himself 
then  came  in  sight,  the  harangue  upon  propriety 
suddenly  came  to  an  end.  He  made  the  nec- 
essary explanations  to  his  irate  lady,  and  Margaret 
was  received  and  entertained  with  cordial  hos- 
pitality. The  great  day  of  the  final  embarkation 
was  now  approaching,  and  God  had  yet  another 
trial  in  store  to  test  the  iidelity  and  constancy  of 
her  vocation.  While  she  awail  ed  the  arrival  of 
M.  de  Maisonneuve  she  had  a  strong  desire  to 
approach  the  Sacraments  once  more  before  leav- 
ing France,  and  as  she  always  preferred  a  Carmel- 


I' 


'1 


78 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


ite  confessor,  she  sought  one,  and  was  successful, 
as  there  was  a  Carmelite  church  in  the  city.  It 
was  one  of  her  lifelong  principles  to  do  nothing 
by  halves;  thercfoie  she  once  again  related  her 
whole  past  experience  to  the  good  Father,  who 
unhesitatingly  advised  her  to  remain  in  her  native 
land,  and  become  a  C.irmclite  nun.  Humanly 
speaking,  it  was  natural  he  should  so  advise  her. 
But  his  suggestions  threw  her  into  a  dreadful  state 
of  perplexity.  On  leaving  him,  she  entered  the 
Capuchin  church,  where  the  Blessed  Sacrament 
was  still  expose  ;,  and  prostrating  herself  in  the 
presence  of  God,  shec!  abundant  tears  in  the  bit- 
terness of  her  soul,  protesting  that  her  only  de- 
sire was  to  knoiv  His  will,  and  do  it.  During  this 
hour  of  spirit  trial  and  loving  colloquy  with  her 
divine  Lord,  a  light  from  heaven  suddenly  en- 
veloped her,  her  heart  was  replenished  with  tl"  e 
sweetest  consolation,  and  she  was  made  cleaily 
to  understand,  at  once  and  forever,  that  God 
willed  she  should  go  to  Canada.  Yet,  although 
she  was  thus  divinely  reassured,  she  would  not 
neglect  the  duty  of  holy  obedience,  and  as  her 
last  '.  onfessor  directed  her  to  write  to  those  per- 
sons in  Paris  who  had  manifested  an  interest  in 
her  vocation,  she  did  so,  rather  to  thank  them  for 
wha*:  they  had  already  done,  than  to  ask  them  to 
renew  their  exertions.  But  during  the  three 
weeks  she  stiU  remained  in  Nantes,  she  received 
no  reply  froni  these  friends.     It  seemed  now  as 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


79 


if  the  devil  had  left  no  stone  unturned  to  des- 
troy her  vocation  for  Ville-Marie,  yet  true  to  his 
old  malice,  he  made  one  more  attempt,  and  this 
time  the  trial  came  from  M.  de  Maisonneuve 
himself.  As  soon  as  he  arrived  in  Nantes,  in  order 
to  hasten  the  preparations  for  their  departure,  he 
received  an  anonymous  letter,  in  which  it  was  al- 
leged, among  other  unpleasant  things,  that 
Margaret  Bourgeois  was  unfit  to  accompany  him 
to  Canada,  as  her  vocation  for  the  order  of  Mt. 
Carmel  was  evident,  and  that  this  preference 
would  render  her  useless  to  him  across  the  At- 
lantic. But  as  he  was  an  upright  man,  who  could 
not  be  terrified  by  shadows,  nor  influenced  by  the 
assertions  of  persons  who  v/ould  not  honorably 
give  their  names,  he  contented  himself  by  show- 
ing the  cowardly  communication  to  Sister  Bour- 
geois, and  calmly  av/aited  her  reply,  wliich,  when 
given,  entirely  disabused  him  of  any  doubts  that 
might  have  lessened  his  confidence  in  her,  and  so 
he  decided  to  set  sail  for  the  New  World  in  Juiv, 
1653.  During  their  stay  of  three  weeks  at  Nan- 
tes, she  completely  won  the  esteem  and  friendship 
of  M.  le  Coq  and  his  family.  Not  only  did  they 
refuse  to  receive  payment  for  her  board,  but 
eagerly  pressed  her  to  accept  an  outfit  for  the  sea 
voyage,  which  they  saw  she  took  no  care  to  pro- 
vide. The  kind-hearted  merchant  thoughtfully 
procured  a  comfortable  bed  for  her,  which  she 
never  slept  upon,  the  ship's  cordage  being  her 


^p^' 


J I 


80 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


only  hammock  during  the  voyage.  He  would 
also  have  given  her  a  supply  of  wine,  but  knowing 
she  would  not  use  it,  he  substituted  a  few  casks 
of  fresh  water,  the  lack  of  which  often  causes 
such  frightful  sufferings  at  sea.  These  were  use- 
less precautions  for  one  who  was  determined  to 
suffer  in  the  flesh  a  portion  of  the  mortifications 
of  Jesus  Christ.  The  water  was  stored  in  the 
ship,  but  she  did  not  use  it,  as  she  drank  only  once 
a  day,  from  a  little  leather  cup  that  she  carried 
by  her  side.  She  never  deviated  from  this  meas- 
ure, and  used  only  the  tainted  water,  which  was 
the  ordinary  beverage  of  the  common  sailors. 
M.  de  Maisonneuve  wished  her  to  eat  at  his 
table,  but  to  this  she  would  not  consent ;  there- 
fore he  sent  her  daily  a  portion  of  the  food  pre- 
pared for  himself,  which  was  more  delicate  and 
better  cooked  than  the  ordinary  mess.  She 
took  it  thankfully,  to  divide  among  the  sick,  using 
herself  only  a  small  share  of  the  common  ship 
rations.  During  the  voyage  she  carefully  in- 
structed the  soldiers  and  sailors  in  the  sublime 
though  simple  lessons  of  the  catechism.  She 
served  the  sick  day  and  night,  as  there  were 
many  invalids  to  be  found  in  a  rav/  regiment  of 
one  hundred  men.  She  solaced  them  in  their 
sufferings  with  unwearied  assiduity,  and  gave 
them  the  delicacies  she  received  from  the  com- 
mander. Each  day  she  rea'd  a  lecture  on  the  prac- 
tical duties  of  Christianity,  and  induced  ail  to  re- 


VENERABLE  SIS  TER  MARGARET  BO  UR  GEOIS.      g  i 

cite  aloud  the  morning  and  night  prayers.  Her 
courage  and  strength  never  failed  during  the  in- 
conveniences of  a  stormy  sea-voyage,  which  was 
remarkable,  as  she  had  never  been  to  sea  before. 
She  was  really  the  guardian  angel  of  the  ship,  and 
in  the  exercise  of  such  heroic  acts  of  charity  did 
she  arrive  in  Canada.  However,  in  spite  of  her 
self-sacrificing  virtue,  she  was  the  subject  of  un- 
charitable criticisms,  as  M.  de  Maisonneuve,  who 
knew  her  worth,  paid  unceasing  and  deserved  at- 
tention to  her  wants,  and  she  testified  the  most 
humble  and  respectful  submission  to  his  wishes. 
Some  who  observed  this  wickedly  construed  it 
into  hypocrisy  to  mask  lost  virtue,  and  although 
the  lynx-eyed  slanderers  did  not  dare  to  assert  as 
much  openly  on  board,  yet  she  knew  it  was  dis- 
cussed in  private.  But  she  endured  the  humilia- 
tion in  silence,  as  was  lier  custom  when  calumny 
of  any  kind  assailed  her. 


:f 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SISTER  BOURGEOIS*  ARRIVAL  IN  CANADA. 

The  voyage  from  various  causes  having  lasted 
three  months,  the  fleet  did  not  arrive  in  Quebec 
until  the  226.  of  September,  1653.  She  therefore 
set  her  foot  on  Canadian  soil  for  the  first  time 
in  the  capital  of  New  France.  It  was  like  tal-ing 
possession  of  the  Province  she  was  afterwards  to 
edify  and  instruct,  by  word  and  example,  not  only 
by  her  own  immediate  labors,  but  also  by  the  zeal 
of  those  who  were  in  the  designs  of  God  to  con- 
tinue the  good  work  she  so  happily  commenced, 
and  to  continue  it  for  centuries  th^-oughout  the 
whole  extent  of  that  vast  country.  Yet  it  was  not 
Quebec  but  Montreal,  that  God  intended  to  be 
the  centre  of  her  missionary  zeal,  and  that  of  her 
spiritual  daughters.  She  therefore  made  but  a 
short  stay  in  the  capital,  and  could  not  rest  until 
she  arrived  at  her  final  destination,  accompanied 
by  M.  de  Maisonneuve.  Words  would  be  quite 
inadequate  to  express  the  joy  she  felt  on  ap- 
proacJiing  Montreal.  She  was  overpowered  with 
62 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


83 


gratitude  to  the  Almighty  God  when  she  first  be- 
held the  young  city  for  which  she  had  so  long 
sighed,  and  which  was  indeed  the  City  of  Mary, 
having  been  consecrated  to  her,  and  this  joy  was 
so  much  the  purer  as  it  was  purchased  by  the 
pains  and  humiliations  she  endured  for  Christ's 
dear  sake.  In  addition  to  what  has  been  already 
related  of  this  voyage.  Sister  Bourgeois  says  in 
her  manuscripts,  that  as  soon  as  they  weighed 
anchor,  it  was  discovered  the  ship  was  rotten, 
and  leaked  in  many  places.  However,  as  it  was 
well  manned,  having,  besides  the  usual  number  of 
sailors,  108  soldiers  on  board,  it  was  ho.ped  they 
would  be  able  to  brave  the  sea,  but  the  hope  was 
vain.  Although  they  worked  night  and  day  at 
the  pumps,  the  ship  could  not  be  kept  afloat. 
The  water  gained  rapidly,  and  their  provisions 
were  nearly  destroyed.  They  were  obliged  to 
return  to  the  port  of  St.  Lazare,  on  nearing  which 
they  must  have  perished  but  for  the  timely  as- 
sistance rendered  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  place. 
Margaret  Bourgeois  felt  the  danger  more  keenly, 
as  there  was  not  a  priest  on  board,  and  very  few 
were  prepared  for  death.  M.  de  Maisonneuve 
took  the  wise  precaution  of  putting  the  soldiers 
ashore  on  an  island,  to  prevent  desertions;  but 
a  few  in  despair  cast  themselves  into  the  sea  to 
effect  an  escape,  as  the  ship  was  sinking  before 
their  eyes,  and  they  believed  M.  de  Maisonneuve 
was  leading  them  to  perdition.     One  alone  wa.s 


■ 


'HT""! 


I*:  I 


84 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


I 


calm  amidst  that  wild  tumult  of  passion,  and  that 
one  was  Sister  Bourgeois,  who  willingly  and  re- 
peatedly offered  the  sacrifice  of  her  life  to  God. 
In  the  meantimjc  M.  de  Maisonneuve  was  fortu- 
nate enough  to  secure  a  new  ship,  and  all  other 
things  necessary  to  continue  the  voyage.  So  they 
set  sail  again  on  the  feast  of  St.  Margaret,  after 
having  assisted  at  Mass,  a  happiness  they  had 
not  enjoyed  for  a  long  time.  As  if  to  add  to 
their  misery,  sickness  now  became  general,  and 
Sister  Bourgeois  was  alternately  priest  and  infir- 
marian,  eight  persons  having  died  in  her  arms. 
As  soon  as  they  were  finally  settleJ  in  Ville- 
Marie,  she  requested  M.  de  Maisonneuve  to  lead 
her  to  the  cross  he  had  erected  in  1640.  But  that 
one  having  been  weather-beaten  and  broken,  he 
replaced  it  by  another,  higher  up  on  the  moun- 
tain, with  an  image  of  Mary  near  it.  This  was  a 
rendezvous  for  the  savages,  who  assembled  there 
to  receive  religious  instruction.  He  carried  the 
second  cross  on  his  own  shoulders  through  thorns, 
and  rocks,  and  forest  trees,  there  being  no  path- 
way up  the  hill-side,  and  having  secured  it  on  the 
platform  prepared  for  it,  placed  beside  it  the 
statue  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  given  him  by  the 
Congregation  Sisters.  The  erection  of  this  cross 
was  quite  a  religious  ceremony,  and  occurred  on 
the  same  day,  and  at  the  same  hour,  on  which 
Sister  Bourgeoi.-.  received  the  first  miraculous 
favor  from  the  Mother  of   God,  in  the  porch  of 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS, 


85 


the  church  of  Notre  Dame,  in  the  city  of  Troyes. 
She  always  believed  that  this  extraordinary  event 
determined  her  vocation  for  Canada.  The  conse- 
crated hillside  became  afterwards  the  "  Mission 
of  the  Mountain."  The  following  year  an  altar 
was  erected  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  the  early 
missionary  priests  of  Ville-Marie  celebrated  Mass 
there  for  the  converted  savages.  It  happened 
once,  that  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  persons  present 
at  the  Holy  Sacrifice,  not  one  knew  how  to  servo 
Mass,  and  Jean  Mance  had  to  get  a  little  child, 
four  years  old,  to  wait  on  the  priest,  by  suggest- 
ing the  responses,  and  indicating  the  ceremonies. 
At  the  foot  of  this  mountain,  in  after  years,  the 
Indians  assembled  by  hundreds,  to  embrace 
Christianity,  and  receive  instruction  from  the 
priests  and  the  Sisters  of  the  Congregation.  The 
first  time  M.  de  Maisonneuve  conducted  Mar- 
garet  Bourgeois  to  the  time-honored  cross,  he 
was  obliged  to  have  an  escort  of  thirty  men,  lest 
the  Iroquois  should  surprise  and  maltreat  them. 
What  then  mufr"  have  been  her  disappointment 
and  grief  to  find  it  thrown  down  and  broken. 
The  Indians  had  watched  their  opportunity  to  in- 
sult the  Christian  standard,  yet  wonderful  to  re- 
late, the  statue  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  was  not  in 
the  least  injured.  She  resolved  on  the  spot  to 
erect  a  third  cross,  with  M.  de  Maisonneuve's  per- 
mission, which  she  of  uurse  obtained,  and  for 
three  days  and  nights  they  labored  together  on 


80 


VEiSERABLE  SISTliR  MARGARET  BOURUllOlS. 


-\      ' 


the  mountain  until  the  pious  work  was  completed. 
This  time  they  surrounded  it  with  a  strong  pali- 
sade of  stakes,  and  for  years  the  colonists  were  in 
the  habit  of  making  annual  pilgrimages  to  it.  It 
was  still  standing  in  1760,  when  the  Enj^Hsh  be- 
came masters  of  Montreal,  but  from  that  time  it  was 
seen  no  more.  Sister  Bourgeois  soon  after  her  arri- 
val, commenced  her  labor  of  Christian  love.  Ville- 
Marie  then  contained  about  fifty  houses  scattered 
here  and  there,  with  a  fort  '"or  the  garrison.  A 
few  colonists  settled  in  the  sui  rounding  country, 
where  they  made  successful  attempts  to  cultivate 
the  ground,  and  some  converted  savages  erected 
cabins  in  the  vicinity.  These  constituted  the  en- 
tire population  of  Montreal  at  that  remote  period, 
and  our  heroine  visited  each  house  daily,  like  the 
Apostles  of  old,  to  animate  the  people  with  a 
portion  of  her  own  zeal  in  the  discharge  of  their 
religious  duties.  She  was  to  be  found  every- 
where that  the  good  of  her  fellow-creatures  re- 
quired, either  waiting  on  the  sick,  consoling  the 
afiflicted,  instructing  th-  ignorant,  washing  r.nd 
mending — gratis — the  ^'.othing  of  the  poor  sol- 
diers, preparing  the  dead  for  burial,  or  despoiling 
herself  of  necessaries  in  favor  of  the  destitute, 
which  was  the  routine  of  her  daily  life.  And  it 
might  be  truly  said  in  the  words  of  Scripture, 
that  her  days  were  full.  We  have  already  related 
that  M.  le  Coq  gave  her  a  sleeping  outfit,  con- 
sisting of  a  mattress,  palliasse,  two  comforters, 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


87 


and  a  pillow.  Although  the  first  winter  she 
spent  in  Montreal  was  an  unusually  severe  one, 
she  never  used  these  articles  of  comfort  herself, 
but  freely  bestowed  them  on  others.  A  poor  sol- 
dier, badly  frozen,  hastened  to  tell  her  his  misery ; 
the  mattress  was  instantly  given  to  him.  A  com- 
rade hearing  of  his  good  fortune,  presented  him- 
self for  relief;  the  palliasse  became  his  property, 
the  comforters  being  bestowed  on  a  third,  who 
was  as  wretchedly  lodged  as  the  others.  There 
was  as  yet  no  applicant  for  the  pillow,  which  was 
a  useless  article  of  furniture  to  her,  as  she  slept 
on  the  bare  ground,  or  a  plank,  resting  her  head 
upon  straw,  notwithstanding  the  inclemency  of 
Canadian  winters.  Yet  she  felt  amply  rewarded 
for  her  privations,  by  being  permitted  to  perform 
charitable  offices  for  others.  She  was  the  com- 
mon mother  of  the  young  colonists,  being  an  eye 
to  the  blind,  a  foot  to  the  lame,  consolation  to 
the  afflicted,  a  support  to  the  weak  and  indigent, 
making  herself  ^^'ke  the  Apostle,  **  all  to  all,  in 
order  to  gain  all  to  Christ."  But  her  principal 
aim  was  the  instruction  of  the  little  ones,  and  as 
she  had  no  school- room  to  teach  in,  she  followed 
them  from  house  to  house,  instructing  them  in 
their  religious  duties,  and  inspiring  them  with  de- 
votion to  the  Immaculate  Mother  of  God. 
While  M.  de  Maisonneuve,  her  faithful  fellow- 
laborer,  struggled  for  the  material  prosperity  of 
the  colony,  she  endeavored  to  erect  a  spiritual 


*v 


88      VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

empire  in  the  hearts  of  the  faithful.  But  as  the 
population  increased  the  extent  of  her  foot-jour- 
neys covered  a  vast  tract  of  country,  and  the 
number  of  children  she  instructed  was  greater 
than  one  teacher  could  attend  to.  Although  her 
strength  and  courage  never  flagged,  she  evidently 
required  assistance,  which  Almighty  God  pro- 
vided in  His  own  mysterious  and  adorable  man- 
ner, as  will  soon  be  related. 


I  ; 


CHAPTER  VII. 


ESTABLISHMENT  OF    THE  SISTERS  OF  THE  CON. 
GREGATION  OF  NOTRE  DAME  AT  VILLE-MARIE. 

,  Sister  Bourgeois  had  now  lived  four  years  in 
Ville-Marie,  during  which  time  she  had  practised 
the  most  heroic  virtues.  Her  zeal  for  the  glory 
of  God  was  ever  increasing,  her  only  desire  being 
to  win  souls  to  His  service,  and  to  love  and  imi- 
tate the  virtues  of  His  divine  Mother.  About 
this  period  she  felt  interiorly  inspired  to  build  a 
church  in  honor  of  Mary,  in  which  she  might  at 
times  assemble  her  little  pupils  for  instruction,  in 
order  to  effect  greater  good  among  them. 
Hitherto  she  had  literally  to  run  after  them  from 
house  to  house,  which  unavoidably  caused  a  great 
loss  of  her  precious  time.  Yet,  obedient  to  the 
inspirations  of  grace,  she  first  consulted  her 
confessor,  Father  Pizart,  a  Jesuit,  who  was 
then  the  only  priest  in  Ville-Marie.  To  test 
her  firmness  he  represented  and  exaggerated  the 
difficulties  she  would  have  to  encounter,  but  her 
zealous  determination  overcame   his  objections, 

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VENER  4BLE  SISTEH  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


and  he  approved  of  her  design,  not  doubting  that 
God  would  assist  her  to  accomplish  it.  Being 
strengthened  in  her  resolution  by  his  approval, 
and  full  of  confidence  in  God  and  His  Holy 
Mother,  she  went  directly  to  M.  de  Maisonneuvc 
to  ask  for  a  suitable  tract  of  land  on  which  to 
erect  the  building.  This  he  gave  most  willingly, 
as  there  was  nothing  dearer  to  him  than  to  pro- 
mote devotion  to  the  Mother  of  God  by  every 
means  in  his  power.  Having  unbounded  confi- 
dence in  Sister  Bourgeois,  he  desired  her  to  se- 
lect  a  site  for  the  edifice,  wherever  she  pleased, 
and  she  accordingly  took  possession  of  the  ground 
on  which  the  church  of  Bon-Sccouis  stands  to- 
day, being  about  four  hundred  paces  from  the 
city  of  Ville-Marie.  The  extent    of   the   lot 

was  only  40  by  30  feet,  which  small  enclosure 
she  judged  sufficient  for  her  purpose,  but  she 
had  no  earthly  means  to  carry  out  her  design. 
However,  she  set  to  work  hopefully,  and  enlisted 
the  sympathies  of  the  colonists.  Nor  was  she  dis- 
appointed, as  all  were  disposed  to  assist;  some 
prepared  lumber,  others  quarried  stone,  mechanics 
worked  as  their  services  were  required,  laborers 
waited  on  the  workmen,  several  contributed 
money  quite  liberally,  and  in  a  few  days  the  foun- 
dation was  ready  to  receive  the  ponderous  wooden 
structure  to  be  laid  upon  it.  Everything  seemed 
to  be  progressing  favorably,  but  it  was  the  work 
of  God,  and  had  to  encounter  contradiction  to 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARCARHT  BOURGEOIS. 


91 


make  it  perfect.  The  contradiction  came,  too, 
from  a  quarter  the  least  expected,  God  having  so 
permitted  in  order  to  purify  still  more  the  heart 
of  this  holy  woman.  Until  then,  there  had  been 
no  bishop  at  Quebec,  and  M.  I'Abb^  de  Qut^lus, 
first  superior  of  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice  at 
Montreal,  arrived  from  France,  at  the  precise 
time  they  were  putting  up  the  building.  He 
came  as  Grand-Vicar  of  the  Archbishop  of  Rouen, 
in  whose  name  all  spiritual  jurisdiction  in  Canada 
had  hitherto  been  exercised.  He  had  never 
heard  of  Sister  Bourgeois,  and  with  three  other 
priests  of  his  society,  came  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  founding  a  sctninary  at  Ville-Marie,  being 
the  first  Sulpicians  who  visited  New  France.  M. 
de  Qu61us  was  therefore  surprised  to  find  a  young 
woman,  whose  humility  concealed  her  talents  and 
her  virtues,  take  the  lead  in  building  a  church, 
for  which  she  had,  as  we  have  seen,  the  permis- 
sion of  a  subordinate  ecclesiastic.  In  his  wisdom 
he  ordered  the  work  to  be  discontinued,  and  she 
submitted  to  the  voice  of  authority  without  mur- 
mur or  reply,  but  reflected,  nevertheless,  on  the 
consequences.  There  was  a  large  quantity  of  valu- 
able lumber  ready  for  the  carpenters  ;  it  was  pro- 
cured at  great  expense  and  labor,  but  must,  in 
consequence  of  the  interdict,  become  a  total  loss, 
and  rot  on  the  ground.  Human  prudence  would 
have  regarded  the  event  as  a  misfortune,  and 
Sister   Bourgeois,  obedient  as   she   was,  sighed 


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/  HNERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


bitterly  in  secret.  But  God,  who  knows  how  to 
draw  good  out  of  evil,  turned  the  contradiction 
into  a  work  of  enduring  benefit.  The  contem- 
plated wooden  building  was  forbidden,  it  is  true, 
but  a  stone  church  was  erected  instead,  and  the 
Congregation  of  the  Sisters  of  Notre  Dame  may 
be  said  to  date  from  that  period.  It  does  not 
appear  that  she  had  previously  thought  of  form- 
ing a  community,  but  seeing  her  hopes  thus  sud- 
denly dashed  to  the  ground,  and  feeling  she  could 
no  longer  do  justice  to  the  children  on  the  scat- 
tered plan  she  was  compelled  to  adopt,  she  began 
seriously  to  think  of  associating  with  herself  a  few 
companions. 

Full  of  this  idea,  and  convinced  that  in  Ville- 
Marie  she  could  not  find  persons  suitable  for 
teachers,  she  decided  on  going  back  to  France, 
to  induce  the  externs  of  Troyes,  her  native  city, 
to  form  a  corps  of  teachers  for  Canada.  She 
foresaw  her  return  would  be  considered  unwise 
and  ill-timed,  but  a  voice  within  that  would  not 
be  silenced,  told  her  that  God  required  her  to 
return.  According  to  the  wisdom  of  the  world, 
it  did  look  badly  for  a  single  woman,  without 
means  or  credit,  to  recross  the  ocean  for  the  pur- 
pose of  inducing  others  to  imitate  her  wise  folly, 
to  renounce  all  things  and  sacrifice  the  peace  and 
security  of  home  for  the  dangers  of  a  wild,  thinly- 
settled  country.  The  citizens  of  Troyes  knew 
well  that  Canadian  colonists  were  the  constant 


VENERAHIJ-  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


93 


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prey  of  relentless  savages,  being  murdered  in  cold 
blood,  not  only  on  the  island  of  Montreal,  but 
frequently  at  their  own  doors.  Yet  Sister  Bour- 
geois, animated  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  listened  only 
to  the  voice  of  God,  as  did  the  Apostles  of  old, 
and  as  did  also  the  holy  vvonianwho  followed  in 
their  track.  She  left  Villc-  Marie  with  a  strong  pre- 
sentiment of  success.  Perhaps  she  had  also  a 
prophetic  view  of  what  would  follow.  At  least 
one  is  led  to  think  so,  by  the  positive  assurance 
she  gave  to  a  confidential  friend  before  her  de- 
parture, that  she  would  be  absent  one  year,  which 
prediction  was  literally  verified,  as  she  left  Mon- 
treal, September,  1658,  and  returned  in  safety 
with  her  new  companions  September,  1659.  If 
the  saintly  woman  herself  displayed  courage  and 
zeal  in  undertaking  the  return  voyage,  no  less 
heroism  was  evinced  by  those  who  followed  her 
to  Canada.  It  is  always  a  matter  of  surprise 
to  the  worldly-minded,  to  see  young  girls  coura- 
geously sever  the  ties  of  kindred  and  country, 
and  attach  themselves  to  one  who  possesses 
nothing  but  confidence  in  God,  and  who  prom- 
ises nothing  in  the  future  but  humiliations, 
pain  and  labor  to  her  followers.  Such  were  the 
inducements  held  out  by  Margaret  Bourgeois  to 
those  she  succeeded  in  bringing  to  the  New 
World,  and  such  were  the  Christian  heroines 
who  associated  themselves  to  this  great  work  of 
charity.     Four  young  girls  accompanied  her  on 


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94 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


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the  first  recruiting  voyage,  whose  names  deserve 
to  be  transmitted  to  posterity.  They  were  Miles. 
Crolo,  Raisin,  Fyoux,  and  Chatel.  The  title  of 
Sister  was  not  given  them  for  many  years  after, 
but  in  167 1  they  received  letters  patent  author- 
izing them  to  form  a  religious  community.  We 
cannot  better  describe  the  rise  and  progress  of 
the  Sisters  of  the  Congregation  than  by  giving 
octracts  from  the  manuscripts  of  Sister  Bourgeois. 
She  says : 

"  In  1658,  five  years  after  my  first  arrival  in 
Canada,  I  felt  inspired  to  return  to  France  for 
help.  It  happened  in  this  way  :  Mile.  Mance  had 
broken  her  arm,  and  undergone  an  unsuccessful 
operation.  It  continued  so  painful,  that  she  was 
obliged  to  go  to  France  to  have  it  properly 
treated,  having  also  matters  to  arrange  for  her 
hospital.  As  she  could  not  travel  without  a  com- 
panion— being  an  invalid — I  offered  my  services, 
which  were  accepted,  but  I  had  another  object 
in  view,  namely,  to  procure  capable  young  persons 
to  teach  my  school.  Mile.  Mance  was  well 
pleased  that  I  should  accompany  her,  and,  as  our 
simple  preparations  were  easily  made,  we  left 
Montreal  on  the  Feast  of  St.  Michael,  Sept.  29, 
1658.  Having  been  the  sacristan  of  the  parish 
church,  I  requested  M.  Galimier,  a  priest  of  the 
seminary,  to  keep  matters  so  arranged  that  I 
could  resume  the  pious  duty  on  my  return.  I 
made  the  request  before  starting  for  Europe,  and 


^•::^,^ii 


V£NHKABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


95 


he  promised  that  my  desire  should  be  complied 
with,  provided  I  was  not  absent  longer  than  a 
year.      I   made   the  promise  partly  in  jest,  yet 
Divine  Providence  ordained  that  I  should  return 
safely  on  the  next  Feast  of  St.  Michael.     The 
crew    of    the    vessel    in    which    we    embarked 
numbered  but  six  men,  and  were  all  Protestants, 
Mile.  Mance  and  myself  being  the  only  Catholics 
on  board.     We  scarcely  ever  went  on  deck,  pre- 
ferring to  remain  quietly  in  the  cabin  allotted  to 
us,  and  preform  our  devotions.     The  crew,  at 
times,  sang  their  prayers  too  loudly  for  the  comfort 
of  an  invalid,  and  Mile.  Mance  was  reluctantly 
obliged  to  complain  to  the  captain.     After  that 
the  singing  of  the  prayers  ceased,  and  we  were 
treated  with  marked  attention  and  respect.     We 
had  a  prosperous  voyage  over  the  blue  sea,  and 
cast  anchor  at   La  Rochelle,  during  the  Christ- 
mas holidays.     Mile.  Mance  went  immediately  to 
La  Fldche,  to  get  her  arm  reset,  in  that  famous  hos- 
pital, and  hoped  to  bring  back  with  her,  on  her 
return,  a  few  of  the  Sisters,  to  assist  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  hospital  she  had  established  at  Ville- 
Marie.     I  was  delighted  to  have  the  consolation 
of  again  seeing  M.  de  la  Dauversiere,  that  great 
servant  of  Mary,  and  noble  protector  of  Montreal, 
who  resided  at  La  Fl^che,  of  which  place  he  was 
Lieutenant-General.     We  remained  there   a  few 
days,  and  then  set  out  for  Paris.     I  had  become 
in   a  manner  necessary  to  Mile.  Mance,  as  she 


96 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS 


i*  'n 


was  not  able  to  dress  without  assistance,  and  she 
willingly  defrayed  my  expenses  while  we  resided 
with  her  sister  during  our  stay  in  Paris.     M.  Olicr, 
superior  of  St.  Sulpice,  died  two  years  before  our 
arrival,  and  as  she  had  great  faith  in  his  interces- 
sion, she  requested  the  new  superior  to  allow  her 
to  pray  at  the  tomb  of  the  deceased.     She  was 
refused  the  favor  then^  but  was  directed  to  call  on 
the'following  Sunday,  which  she  did  not  fail  to  do, 
accompanied  by  me.     It  gave  us  inexpressible 
joy  to  pray  by  the  tomb  of  the  dead  saint,  and  to 
see  the  splendid  chapel  of  St.  Sulpice.     But  Mile. 
Mance  had  more  reason  to  rejoice   than  I,  for, 
while  kneeling  in  prayer,  she  suddenly  recovered 
the  use  of  her  crippled  arm,  and  was  restored  to 
perfect  health,  God  being  pleased  to  reward  her 
great   faith   by   a  greater  miracle.      I    went   to 
Troyes  on  business  of  my  own  for  a  few  days, 
leaving  her  to   continue   a  novena   alone.     She 
wrote  to  me  with  her  formerly  withered  hand, 
thereby  proving  beyond  doubt  that  she  was  cured. 
The  physicians  declared  that  human  science  was 
useless  in  her  case,  and  that  the  restoration  of  her 
arm  was  an  undeniable  miracle.     During  my  stay 
at  Troyes,  I  lodged  with  the  religieuses  of  the 
Congregation,  who   entertained   me   with   much 
kindness  and  charity.     I  explained  to  them  my 
desire  of  procuring  a  few  young  girls,  who  would 
be  willing  to  accompany  me  as  teachers  to  Ville- 
Marie,  and  also  that  I  would  be  glad  to  get  one 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


9'/ 


or  two  healthy  persons  to  attend  to  our  domestic 
work.  My  purpose  was  highly  approved  of  by 
them,  but  I  was  assured  it  would  be  difficult  to 
carry  it  into  execution.  Nor  could  I  have  suc- 
ceeded without  the  special  help  of  Divine 
Providence,  in  which  I  implicitly  trusted,  and  my 
hope  was  never  in  vain.  As  soon  as  the  purpose 
of  my  visit  was  known  in  Troyes,  three  of  my  old 
companions  at  once  offered  their  services.  These 
were  Sisters  Crolo,  Ch^tel,  and  Raisin.  The  first 
named  had  asked  to  accompany  me  in  1652.  M. 
Chatel,  the  father  of  the  second,  was  Notary 
Apostolic,  and  on  hearing  my  proposal  to  take 
his  daughter  to  Canada  (at  her  own  desire), 
asked  how  we  intended  to  earn  a  living  in  the 
New  World.  I  replied  that  M.  de  Maisonneuve 
had  given  us  a  good  stable  for  a  dwelling,  that  it 
was  large,  and  would  suit  our  purpose,  and 
showed  him  the  contract.  '  That  is  all  very  well,* 
he  said,  *  but  what  are  you  going  to  subsist  on  ?* 
The  only  answer  1  could  make  was,  that  we 
should  labor  faithfully  in  the  school,  and  that  I 
could  promise  nothing  to  my  companions,  but 
pain  of  mind  and  body,  with  a  mess  of  pottage. 
My  reply  brought  tears  to  his  eyes,  for  though 
he  loved  his  daughter  dearly,  he  loved  religious 
sacrifices  better.  He  did  not  give  me  a  decisive 
answer  for  a  few  days,  however,  preferring  to  act 
slowly,  and  consult  his  friends  on  the  matter. 
They  advised   him  to  place  no   obstacle  to  the 


P 


98 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


11  '    u 


V  .  '' 


<iii 


work  of  God,  as  his  daughter  freely  offered  her. 
self  for  the  mission,  and  so  the  truly  Christian 
father  agreed  to  let  her  go.  He  courageously 
signed,  in  her  presence,  the  contract  by  which  he 
resigned  the  earthly  future  of  his  beloved  child  to 
the  care  of  Margaret  Bourgeois,  a  similar  contract 
being  drawn  up  for  Sister  Crolo." 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  these  contract  papers 
have  not  been  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the 
community.  As  poor  as  Sister  Bourgeois  was, 
she  did  not  wish  to  receive  money  with  either 
party,  but  M.  Chatel  would  not  permit  his  daugh- 
ter to  depart  without  providing  her  an  abundant 
supply  of  clothing,  and  about  two  hundred  livres 
in  specie.  He  also  gave  her  letters  of  credit,  ad- 
dressed to  persons  of  distinction,  who  resided  in 
the  several  places  through  which  she  must  pass, 
so  that,  if  she  wished  to  return  to  Troyes,  she 
might  be  able  to  procure  the  necessary  funds. 
As  to  Sister  Raisin,  she  was  obliged  to  go  to 
Paris  to  get  her  father's  consent,  flattering  herself 
it  would  be  easily  obtained.  Astonished  at  the 
zealous  courage  of  these  Christian  heroines,  a 
young  student  of  Troyes  determined  to  leave  all 
for  Christ,  and  go  with  them  to  Canada  to  teach 
the  boys,  as  the  Sisters  intended  to  teach  none 
but  girls.  He  was  attacked  by  a  violent  hemor- 
rhage during  the  voyage,  and  died  in  the  Sisters* 
house,  two  years  after  his  arrival.  He  was  known 
as  Brother  Louis,  but  was  not  the  Brother  Louis 


VENERABLE  iiliiTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


y^J 


who  transacted  business  for  Sister  Bourgeois  in 
France  at  a  later  period. 

To  return  again  to  the  manuscript.  She  says: 
"  I  and  my  three  companions  started  from  Troyes 
to  Paris  in  an  old  worn-out  conveyance,  that  wc 
hired  for  our  own  use,  but  had  not  gone  far  before 
we  were  compelled  to  stop,  as  the  owners  of  the 
fiiblic  carriages,  who  controlled  the  road,  would 
not  permit  a  private  conveyance  like  ours  to  in- 
terfere with  their  traffic.  We  were  therefore  ob- 
liged to  return  to  Troyes,  where  M.  Chatel  ob- 
tained for  us  permission  to  continue  the  journey. 
As  we  had  to  travel  on  Sunday,  we  requested  the 
driver  to  stop  at  soine  village  where  we  could  as- 
sist at  Mass.  This  he  very  disobligingly  refused 
to  do.  We  passed  before  a  church  pretty  soon, 
however,  and  one  of  the  wheels  breaking,  he  stop- 
ped against  his  will,  to  mend  it,  and  we  assisted  at 
the  Holy  Sacrifice  while  he  worked  at  the  broken 
wheel.  On  our  arrival  in  Paris,  M.  Raisin  would 
not  permit  his  daughter  to  go  to  Canada,  and  stub- 
bornly refused  to  see  her;  nor  had  she  the  cour- 
age to  present  herself  before  him.  She  coulo 
only  prevail  through  the  intercession  of  friends, 
anJ  in  this  way  was  successful,  as  he  finally  gave 
his  consent,  a  contract  being  ratified  in  her  case 
also.  I  could  not  prevent  his  offering  one  thou- 
sand livres  for  her  voyage,  and,  as  I  feared  to 
disoblige  him  by  a  refusal,  I  compromised,  and 
accepted  one  hundred  crowns.      However,  thi» 


100    VENBRAHLB  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


u 


"v 

ft 


ti     ! 


'f:i 


did  not  satisfy  him,  and  he  legally  arranged  to 
pay  to  the  community  an  annuity  of  thirty-five 
livres,  being  the  interest  of  the  seven  hundred 
livres  I  refused  to  accept.  After  his  death,  his 
son,  a  member  of  the  Legislative  Assembly,  ad- 
ded to  this  an  annuity  of  three  hundred  livres, 
interest  on  six  thousand,  which  was  donated  for 
three  yearly  Masses,  for  the  repose  of  his  fatlier's 
soul,  whicli  Masses  are  celebrated  to  this  day  on 
the  22d,  23d,  and  24th  of  April;  so  charitable 
were  these  gentlemen  to  the  embryo  Congrega- 
tion. In  Paris  we  received  an  addition  to  our 
number,  M.  Blondel  giving  one  of  his  nieces  as  a 
teacher  for  Ville- Marie.  This  young  lady  was 
the  first  person  admitted  to  our  community  in 
1659,  and  was  named  Sister  St.  Claire.  There 
were  now  assembled  eighteen  young  girls  for  the 
return  voyage,  four  of  whom  were  to  remain  at 
Quebec,  the  rest  being  bound  for  Montreal.  We 
again  hired  wagons  to  make  the  journey  from 
Paris  to  La  Rochelle,  and  met  with  the  same  mis- 
hap as  at  Troyes,  but  finally  arrived  at  our  des- 
tination, where  I  had  the  happiness  once  more  to 
meet  Mile.  Mance,  who  was  bringing  with  her 
three  religieuses  for  the  hospital  of  Montreal. 
On  the  eve  of  embarkation  an  obstacle  quite  un- 
expectedly presented  itself.  I  had  supposed  that 
my  companions  and  myself  were  to  be  taken  on 
board  gratuitously,  such  certainly  being  the  in- 
tention of  M.  de  Maisoimeuya.iv-ThBSiB[kster  of 

MOUNT  s.-i::.    .J^.v^^ 


VENERAULIi  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


\0\ 


the  ship  had  heard  nothing  of  such  an  arrange- 
ment, however;  at  least  he  said  so,  and  refused 
to  take  us,  unless  each  one  paid  175  livrcs  for  her 
passage,  besides  furnishing  provisions,  and  as  we 
had  no  money,  we  were  on  the  point  of  being 
left  behind,  I  fortunately  thought  of  drawing  a 
double  letter  of  exchange  on  M.  Raisin,  which 
was  accepted.  We  finally  set  sail  and  found  that 
the  commander,  notwithstanding  the  trouble  he 
had  given  us,  was  a  very  honest  man.  The  vessel 
was  very  large  and  convenient,  but  had  served  for 
a  floating  hospital  during  the  war,  and  the  very 
timbers  of  it  were  infected  with  disease.  Per- 
haps this  was  not  the  only  cause  of  sickness,  as  we 
had  a  large  number  of  passengers,  among  whom 
were  two  priests,  M.  le  Maitre,  and  M.  Vignal, 
both  bound  for  the  Montreal  seminary.  These 
holy  men  were  afterwards  murdered  by  the  In- 
dians, in  cold  blood.  We  took  care  to  have  the 
priests  near  us  during  the  voyage,  as  pestilence 
soon  broke  out.  Mile.  Mance  and  herreligieuses 
were  the  first  attacked,  but  after  a  few  days  sev- 
eral of  the  secular  girls  succumbed.  Eight  per- 
sons died  of  the  plague,  and  would  have  been 
thrown  into  the  sea,  without  the  decency  of  a 
shroud,  but  for  the  thoughtful  exertions  of  M. 
le  Maitre,  who  constructed  rough  coffins  on  the 
spot,  and  took  the  precaution  to  throw  overboard 
everything  belonging  to  the  dead.  A  young 
mother  among  the   stricken  left   a  nursing   in- 


♦  .• 


SI.  f ttf  icW 


i«^\^0UV8l<^ 


,  rio)^^-^' J 


1  ^ 


I'   ' 


'ill 
{ill 


I' 


102     VENERABIM  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

fant,  which,  with  its  father,  was  prostrated  by  the 
pestilence.  The  babe's  life  was  desparied  of,  as 
no  one  was  willing  to  take  charge  of  it,  and  many 
advised  that  it  be  thrown  into  the  sea  alive.  The 
cruel  suggestion  aroused  my  sympathy,  and  I 
offered  to  take  the  infant  myself,  much  against 
the  will  of  my  companions,  who  were  all  sick. 
However,  I  succeeded  in  getting  the  little  waif 
in  my  keeping.  When  we  arrived  at  Quebec,  its 
cries  and  horrible  appearance  caused  us  much  an- 
noyance, and  as  I  had  business  to  transact  in 
Quebec,  I  was  obliged  to  return  it  to  the  father, 
who  was  then  well,  promising  to  reclaim  it  before 
setting  out  for  Montreal.  That  September,  the 
cold  season  set  in  with  unusual  rigor,  and  the 
crew  built  fires  in  cabins  along  the  shore,  to  keep 
themselves  from  freezing,  and  this  man,  with  the 
babe  in  his  arms,  lying  down  among  them,  the 
poor  little  martyi  rolled  into  the  embers  and  was 
shockingly  burned.  However,  when  we  arrived  at 
Montreal  it  grew  better,  and  in  consequence  of 
losing  its  mother  so  young,  I  procured  a  nurse 
to  supply  it  with  natural  nourishment;  a  few  days 
after  it  sickened,  died,  and  went  to  rest  in  the 
bosom  of  God.  We  arrived  at  Montreal  on  the 
Feast  of  St.  Michael,  being  exactly  one  year,  day 
for  day,  and  hour  for  hour,  from  the  time  of  our 
departure." 

Sister  Bourgeois  and  her   companions    imme- 
diately took  possession  of  the  stable  which  was 


OIS. 


VENERABLE  SJSTEK  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


103 


i  by  the 

!d  of,  as 

id  many 

e.     The 

^  and  I 

against 

all   sick. 

:tle  waif 

ebec,  its 

luch  an- 

nsact  in 

I  father, 

it  before 

iber,  the 

ind    the 

to  keep 

kvith  the 

em,  the 

and  was 

rived  at 

ence  of 

a  nurse 

ew  days 

in  the 

on  the 

»ar,  day 

of  our 

imme- 
:h  was 


given  for  school  purposes  by  M.  de  Maisonneuve 
the  previous  year.  It  was  built  of  stone,  about 
twenty-five  feet  square,  and  had  been  for  a  long 
time  a  shelter  for  all  kinds  of  animals.  She  had 
a  chimney  built  on  the  floor  prepared  for  the 
school-room,  the  Sisters  cooking  and  eating  there, 
when  school  was  dismissed.  The  loft  of  the 
stable  served  for  a  dovecot  and  granary,  and  was 
reached  by  an  outside  ladder.  This  she  arranged 
as  a  dormitory  and  a  community-room.  All 
things  being  now  in  working  order,  they  began 
to  receive  boarders  and  day-pupils.  One  of  the 
latter,  Marie  Barbier,  who  was  afterwards  called 
in  religion  Sister  Mary  of  the  Assumption,  suc- 
ceeded Sister  Bourgeois  as  superior  of  the  Con- 
gregation, and  was  the  first  member  received  in 
Ville-Marie.  The  school  was  formally  opened 
on  the  Feast  of  St.  Catherine,  Nov.  25,  1659,  and 
a  secular  society  for  young  ladies  was  put  in  op- 
eration on  the  Feast  of  the  Visitation  the  follow- 
ing year.  This  society  has  never  been  discon- 
tinued, and  exists  still  in  almost  primitive  fervor. 
In  a  short  time  the  number  of  boarders  and  dav- 
pupils  became  so  considerable,  that  it  was  neces- 
sary to  purchase  a  small  house,  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  lucky  stable,  from  a  man  named  St.  Ange. 
As  Sister  Bourgeois  burned  with  zeal  to  advance 
the  glory  of  God  in  the  New  World,  in  addition 
to  the  cares  inseparable  from  governing  a  young 
community,  she  undertook  another  laoor  of  love, 


104 


VKNHRABUi  ^ilSTHR  MAJiGAKET  BOURGEOIS. 


which  eventually  caused  her  the  most  bitter  sor- 
row. We  refer  to  the  manuscripts:  "Several 
young  girls  accompanied  us  from  France,  who 
were  taken  from  the  hospitals,  and  sent  at  the 
King's  expense  to  assist  in  the  colonization  of 
Ville-Marie.  While  we  were  repairing  the  little 
house  we  purchased  from  St.  Ange,  another  batch 
of  these  girls  arrived,  and  as  I  knew  they  were 
intended  to  become  mothers  of  families,  I  hast- 
ened to  meet  them  as  soon  as  they  should  land, 
in  order  to  bring  them  to  our  new  house,  and  de- 
tain them  a  short  time,  for  instruction."  The 
Sisters  (we  may  as  well  so  name  them  at  once) 
had  for  some  time  importuned  Sister  Bourgeois 
to  add  another  story  to  their  dwelling,  as  it  did 
not  afford  accommodation  for  both  Sisters  and  pu- 
pils; but  she  objected  on  account  of  her  love  of 
poverty,  humility,  and  mortification.  However, 
the  arrival  of  the  strangers  induced  her  to  comply, 
and  her  hasty  compliance  was  a  source  of  life- 
long regret,  because,  as  she  affirmed,  she  did  not 
sufficiently  consult  the  will  of  God  and  her  eccles- 
iastical superior.  In  fact  she  never  forgave  her- 
self this  unintentional  error  of  judgment,  as  she 
called  it,  and  attributed  to  it  all  the  accidents  that 
subsequently  befell  her  community. 


■111 


>ys. 


:er  sor- 
Several 
e,  who 
at  the 
tion  of 
e  little 
ir  batch 
:y  were 
I  hast- 
d  land, 
and  de- 
"     The 
t  once) 
urgeois 
3  it  did 
ndpu- 
love  of 
(wever, 
jomply, 
f  life- 
id  not 
leccles- 
e  her- 
,s  she 
:s  that 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

M.  FRANgOIS  DE  LAVAL  DE  MONTMORENCI  IS 
APPOINTED  FIRST  BISHOP  OF  CANADA— SISTER 
BOURGEOIS  SUCCEEDS  IN  BUILDING  THE 
CHURCH  OF  *'  NOTRE  DAME  DE  BON  SECOURS." 

In  the  year  1659  M.  Francois  de  Laval  de 
Montmorenci  was  appointed  first  bishop  of 
Canada,  having  been  hitherto  known  as  the  Abh6 
de  Montigni.  The  famous  Henri  Marie  Bondon, 
author  of  many  ascetic  works,  succeeded  him  as 
arch-deacon  of  Evreux,  M.  de  Laval  having  re. 
signed  in  his  favor.  He  received  his  appointment 
from  the  French  King,  but  as  the  Sovereign 
Pontiff  had  not  yet  erected  any  portion  of  the 
Canadian  church  into  the  diocese,  came  at  first 
in  quality  f  Vicar  Apostolic,  consecrated  with 
the  title  of  Bishop  of  Petr^e.  M.  de  Qud-lus, 
who  had  until  then  governed  the  Church  in  New 
France,  subject  to  the  authority  of  the  Archbishop 
of  Rouen,  did  not  dispute  the  jurisdiction  of 
Bishop  Laval,  but  returned  to  France  imme- 
diately, accompanied  by  his  secretary,  M.  d'Allcf, 
105 


1 06     yi^^ ARABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO  URGEOIS. 


;i  . 


mm 


to  inform  his  own  Bishop  of  what  had  transpired 
in  Canada.  H6  never  returned,  however,  and  died 
in  Paris,  in  1680,  in  the  Seminary  of  St.  Sulpice. 
M.  de  Laval  met  Sister  Bourgeois  for  the  first 
time,  during  the  voyage  from  France,  and  having 
conceived  a  very  high  opinion  of  her  virtue,  gave 
herself  and  companions  permission  to  form  in  his 
diocese  whatever  religious  establishments  they 
should  consider  most  conducive  to  the  welfare 
of  the  country. 

Almighty  God  in  His  inscrutable  wisdom  had 
so  arranged  matters  that  the  Institute  of  Sister 
Bourgeois  should  be  born  in  a  stable,  like  His 
own  divine  Son,  the  Sisters  being  much  happier 
there  than  if  they  were  lodged  in  a  palace.  As 
soon  as  circumstances  permitted  after  her  return, 
she  took  occasion  to  revisit  the  chapel  she  at- 
tempted to  build  before  her  departure,  and  found 
to  her  sorrow  what  she  had  foreseen,  that  the 
greatest  part  of  the  lumber  was  in  a  state  of  de- 
cay, and  quite  worthless.  Yet,  as  she  could  not 
yield  to  despair,  she  collected  from  the  debris 
sufficient  material  to  build  a  sort  of  shed,  to  be 
used  alternately  as  a  chapel  and  a  class-room 
until  they  could  do  better.  The  piety  and  fervor 
of  the  new  teachers  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  whole  colony,  and  the  schools  in  a  short  time 
became  overcrowded,  so  that  Sister  Bourgeois 
was   induced  undertake    the   erection  of    a 

building  largv.  ^nough  to  meet  their  wants.     She 


nspired 
nddied 
julpice. 
he  first 
having 
le,  gave 
a  in  his 
ts  they 
welfare 

)m  had 
Sister 
ke  His 
lappier 
:e.     As 
return, 
she  at- 
found 
at  the 
of  de- 
id  not 
debris 
to  be 
■room 
fervor 
on  of 
time 
geois 
of    a 
She 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


107 


had  neither  ground  nor  money,  but  Divine  Provi- 
dence provided  both,  as  M.  de  Maisonneuvc, 
whose  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Vi.  j^in  always 
prompted  him  to  assist  her,  had  already  given  a 
deed  of  the  property  they  then  occupied,  and 
added  to  it  fifty  rods  adjoining,  with  the  clause 
that  if  the  Congregation  decided,  in  the  future, 
to  build  on  a  more  extended  plan,  for  which  the 
present  site  would  not  be  suitable,  the  said  fifty 
rods  were  to  be  deeded  to  the  hospital,  in  the 
vicinity,  all  which  was  legally  arranged  in  the 
month  of  February,  1658.  M.  Gabriel  Souart, 
superior  of  the  Seminary,  donated  another  piece 
of  ground,  upon  which  th  onvent  stands  to- 
day. Many  other  gifts  01  real  estate  became 
also  the  property  of  Sister  Bourgeois,  and  were 
chiefly  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  which  was  at 
last  becoming  extensive.  As  soon  as  the  plan  for 
the  building  was  completed  every  one  hastened  to 
offer  assistance,  as  an  educational  institution  was 
considered  a  public  blessing,  and  it  was  evident 
that  God  inspired  His  faithful  servant  to  undertake 
the  work.  The  building  was  so  arranged  that 
one  side  should  be  occupied  by  the  Sisters,  the 
other  being  fitted  up  for  the  boarders  and  schools. 
It  was  not  fully  completed  when  Sister  Bourgeois 
reflected  that  in  the  then  unsettled  state  of  things, 
and  for  the  security  of  the  institution,  it  would 
be  necessary  to  obtain  letters  patent  from  the 
King.    The   reflection  was  a  wise  one,   but  to 


1 08    VENERABLE  SIS TER  MARGA  RET  BO  URGEOIS. 


'11 


obtain  the   letters  would   expose  her  to  much 
personal  humiliation,  and  also  to  great  dissipa- 
tion and  loss  of  time.     At  first  it  seemed  possible 
to  arrange  matters  by  procuring  the  approbation 
of  the  home   authorities,  that  is  to  say,  of  the 
Bishop   and    Governor-General.      So  she  deter- 
mined to  set  out  for  Quebec,  to  present  her  pe- 
tition to  these  distinguished  persons,  hoping  to 
have  little  difficulty  in  making  them  understand 
the  utility  of  the  establishment.     Messrs.  Souart 
and  Perrot  gave  her  letters  of  recommendation, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  Montreal,  who  knew  the 
great  virtues  and  talents  she  concealed  beneath 
the  veil  of  humility,  assembled  en  viasse  in  the  Sem- 
inary,   to    give    to    her   petition    the   weight    of 
their  united  signatures.     They  also  sent  by  her 
an  humble  supplication  to  his  majesty,  or  his  re- 
presentatives, entreating  that  the  royal  sanction 
be  given  to  insure  the  success  of  the  establish- 
ment.    Each  one  separately  signed  his  name  to 
the  document,  and  placed  it  in  her  hands.     They 
were  all  the  more  eager  to  help  as  they  had  often 
been  compelled  to  send  their  children  to  Quebec 
to  the  Ursulines,  and  the  pressing  need  of  a  home 
institution   was  becoming   more  apparent   each 
day.     Full  of   confidence  in  God  and  His  holy 
Mother,    and  furnished  with    these   respectable 
documents,  she  finally  decided  on  no  half-way 
course,  but  set  sail  again  for  France,  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1670,  fearing  neither  danger,  nor  the  in- 


VENERABLE  S/S TEH  MARGARET  BO  URGEOIS.    i  qq 

conveniences  of  a  third  sea-voyage,  to  obtain  the 
succors  she  needed  for  others,  more  than  for 
herself.  What  a  sublime  spectacle  it  was,  to  see 
an  humble,  Uii^^ttended  woman  cross  the  great 
sea  alone,  and  go  in  her  simple  attire,  into  the 
brilliant  court  of  the  Great  King,  Louis  XIV., 
to  treat  of  the  interests  of  religion  and  the  glory 
of  God.  Her  success  was  as  singular  as  heren'ier- 
prise,  and  though  the  journey  was  long,  and  full 
of  pain  and  fatigue  (she  did  not  return  for  two 
years),  she  felt  abundantly  repaid  by  the  many 
advantages  and  lasting  good  it  produced.  On 
her  arrival  in  Paris,  her  first  visit  was  to  the 
church  of  Notre  Dame,  to  renew,  before  the  altar 
of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  the  consecration  she  had 
there  made  of  herself,  in  1646,  in  company  of  the 
Montreal  Association.  She  implored  the  bless- 
ing of  the  Queen  of  Heaven,  on  herself,  her  fel- 
low-laborers in  the  schools  of  Montreal,  and  her 
present  undertaking,  and  then  set  to  work  to  ac- 
complish her  end.  She  visited  some  of  the 
old  friends  of  M.  de  Maisonneuve,  who  were  all 
persons  of  merit  and  high  social  position,  and 
were  known  to  have  much  influence  at  court,  in 
order  to  induce  them  to  procure  her  the  favor 
of  an  interview  with  his  majesty.  These  people 
had  not  at  all  forgotten  her,  and  had  several 
letters  of  recommendation  in  her  favor.  They 
knew  the  good  she  was  capable  of  effecting,  and 
made  it  a   point  of  honor  to  assist  her.    The 


'-v'lt:-- 


1 1  o    VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGA RET  BO URGEOIS. 


King  was  in  due  course  of  time  informed  of  the 
matter,  and  seemed  to  be  rather  favorably  in- 
clined to  grant  her  request,  yet  six  weary  months 
elapsed  without  his  giving  a  decisive  answer. 
Learning  that  his  majesty  was  at  Dunkirk  in  the 
May  of  1671,  she  repaired  thither,  to  renew  her 
solicitations,  and  at  last  obtained  the  long-sought 
letters,  which  contained  Catholic  sentiments 
worthy  of  the  great  French  monarch.  Being 
authorized  by  the  royal  patent,  she  next  tried 
to  procure  a  new  corps  of  volunteers,  who  would, 
like  the  first  heroic  band,  generously  renounce 
home,  family,  and  country,  without  a  hope  of 
ever  returning,  who  would  be  willing  to  cross  the 
great  ocean,  then  but  imperfectly  known,  and 
devote  their  future  lives  to  the  instruction  of 
wild  savages,  as  much  as  to  the  advancement 
of  the  French  colonists,  expecting  also  that  the 
relentless  Iroquois  would  repay  their  Christian 
love  with  the  tomahawk  or  the  scalping-knife. 
and  in  those  days  how  often  was  the  expec- 
tation verified.  Yet  these  considerations  were 
precisely  what  attracted  a  great  number  of  tal- 
ented young  girls,  fully  capable  of  sustaining  and 
perfecting  the  enterprise,  and  worthy  to  share 
with  the  holy  Foundress  the  labor,  the  glory,  and' 
the  success  that  awaited  the  Congregation  in 
Ville-Marie.  She  procured  her  postulants  in  the 
towns  that  lie  scattered  between  Troyes  and 
Paris,  and  she  as  often  travelled  on  foot  carrying 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


I  I  I 


her  little  bundle  of  poor  clothing,  as  she  did  in 
the  public  conveyances,  that  were  disagreeable  to 
her,  because  the  roads  were  rough,  and  the  com- 
panions  she  met  were  frequently  dissolute  liber- 
tines, although  her  modest  exterior  and  edifying 
conversation  frequently  silenced  their  licentious 
discourses.  In  fact  her  travels  were  a  sort  of 
continuous  mission,  effecting  good  for  the  souls 
of  her  neighbor,  and  advancing  her  own  spiritual 
perfection.  At  such  times  she  refused  all  per- 
sonal convenience,  so  great  was  her  spirit  of  pov- 
verty,  humility,  and  mortification,  and  she  pos- 
sessed these  virtues  in  an  eminent  degree.  Liberal 
and  generous  (o  others,  when  there  was  question 
of  charity  or  the  glory  of  God,  to  herself  she 
was  rigorous  in  the  extreme.  She  truly  possessed 
nothing,  giving  all  the  fruit  of  her  labors  to  the 
poor.  But  Divine  Providence  never  failed  her  in 
the  hour  of  need. 

Once,  during  this  visit,  she  met  a  gentleman  in 
the  streets  of  Paris,  who  suddenly  stopped  to  ask 
if  she  knew  a  lady  from  Canada,  named  Margaret 
Bourgeois.  "  I  am  the  person,"  she  replied. 
Surprised  at  the  unexpected  rencontre,  he  placed 
a  considerable  sum  of  money  in  her  hands  (she 
had  not  wherewith  to  pay  her  night's-lodging  at 
the  time),  which  she  refused  to  accept,  not  know- 
ing his  motive  for  doing  so,  but  was  soon  relieved 
of  her  embarrassment,  by  his  assuring  her  he  was 
only  repaying  a  charity  she  had  done  him  in  Ville- 


li 


ii  i 


lii 

I'^B^^ 

i 

i 

Ss--ii^8 

m 

! 

-'^B 

II 

1 

,)";■  1 

;■'■,: , 

'■  ■■ 

■—'-■  - 

I  I  2     VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

Marie,  and  that  it  afforded  him  great  pleasure  to 
be  able  to  return  ker  generosity,  as  he  could  well 
afford  to  do  it  at  the  time. 

Travelling  thus,  through  the  towns  and  villages 
like  the  Saviour  of  the  world.  He  prevented  her 
by  the  unction  of  His  grace,  and  prepared  before- 
hand faithful  hearts,  who  were  willing  to  enter 
the  new  society,  and  consecrate  themselves  to  the 
service  of  God  under  her  guidance.  Six  young 
persons  responded  to  her  call.  Their  names  were 
Sisters  Elizabeth,  Genevieve,Constantine,  Durant, 
Marianne,  and  Margaret.  Filled  with  holy  joy, 
and  accompanied  by  her  new  companions.  Sister 
Bourgeois  went  to  cast  herself  at  the  feet  of  her 
Bishop,  and  offer  him  the  fruit  of  her  journeyings 
and  prayers. 

M.  de  Laval  was  at  that  time  in  the  college  of 
Foreign  Missions  in  Paris,  not  only  in  quality  of 
Bishop  of  P^tr(§e,  Vicar-Apostolic  of  Canada,  as 
he  had  been  up  to  that  period,  but  also  as  the 
first  Bishop  of  Quebec.  For  it  was  not  until  the 
year  1672  that  the  important  question  of  erecting 
the  church  of  Quebec  into  a  titular  Bishopric 
was  at  last  happily  decided.  The  prelate  approved 
the  Sister's  persevering  labors,  bestowed  the  most 
ample  benedictions  on  herself  and  her  young  re- 
cruits, and  received  their  first  religious  consecra- 
tion to  the  service  of  God  and  the  Church.  He 
placed  no  bounds  to  his  favors,  and  renewed  the 
general  permission  given  before,  to  erect  schools, 


VENERABLE  SJS TER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,    i  j  3 

and  form  any  other  religious  establisment  in  his 
diocese  that  they  should  judge  beneficial  to  the 
colony.  Everything  seemed  to  succeed  with  this 
holy  woman,  and  she  attributed  all  her  past  suc- 
cess, as  well  as  what  the  future  might  develop, 
to  the  special  protection  of  the  Blessed  Virgin. 
Her  confidence  in  her  good  Mother  was  bound- 
less, and  she  considered  it  an  essential  duty  to 
depend  on  her  in  all  things,  and  inspired  her 
daughters  with  a  similar  devotion.  She  wished 
it  to  be  perpetuated  in  the  Institute,  and  desired 
that  the  name  and  livery  of  Mary  might  be  dis- 
tinctly traceable  in  their  houses,  their  furniture, 
and  their  personal  appearance  forever. 

Having  now  obtained  all  that  she  desired  in 
France  she  thought  it  full  time  to  return  to  Can- 
ada, after  a  long  though  unavoidable  absence. 
Before  embarking,  she  felt  it  was  a  duty  of  Chris- 
tian politeness  to  call  on  the  distinguished  people 
who  had  assisted  her  in  procuring  the  letters  pa- 
tent, and  thanking  them  for  their  many  kind- 
nesses. No  person  could  be  more  punctilious 
than  she  in  the  duties  of  social  etiquette  that 
charity  approved,  and  religion  did  not  condemn. 
By  a  particular  dispensation  of  Providence,  her 
first  visit  was  made  to  the  house  of  M.  Pierre 
Chevrier,  Baron  de  Faucamp,  a  priest,  and  one 
of  the  first  proprietors  of  the  Isle  of  Montreal, 
who  then  resided  at  Paris.  In  the  house  of  this 
gentleman   she  received  another  most  singular 


m 


114 


VHNHRABU:  SISTHR  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS, 


mark  of   the  Blessed  Virgin's  love  and  protec- 
tion. 

M.  de  Faucamp  had  in  his  possession  a  small 
miraculous  statue  of  the  Mother  of  God,  which 
he,  conjointly  with  his  brother,  Louis  le  Pretre, 
had  taken  from  among  a  number  of  precious  relics, 
in  their  castle  chapel.  It  had  been  specially 
venerated,  and  carefully  preserved  for  more  than 
a  century.  Their  intention  was  to  send  it  to 
Ville-Marie,  where  they  hoped  it  would  be  more 
religiously  taken  care  of  than  elsewhere,  as  that 
city  was  really  the  city  of  Mary,  having  been 
built  in  her  honor,  and  consecrated  to  her  service. 
While  awaiting  a  favorable  opportunity  to  send 
the  statue  to  the  New  World,  Sister  Bourgeois 
fortunately  presented  herself.  During  the  two 
days  that  M.  Faucamp  had  it  in  his  house  he  fell 
dangerously  ill,  the  sickness  proving  to  be  a  fatal 
attack  of  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  and  the 
physicians  despaired  of  his  life.  In  this  emer- 
gency he  made  a  vow,  while  praying  before  the  mir- 
aculous statue,  that  if  Mary  cured  him,  he  would 
everywhere  publish  her  praises,  and  do  all  in  his 
power  to  build  a  chapel  in  her  honor,  for  which  he 
would  donate  thirty  pistoles  to  commence  a  fund 
for  the  purpose,  begging  also  in  his  simplicity  that 
she,  the  Mother  of  God,  would  not  go  to  Montreal, 
and  leave  one  of  her  most  devoted  clients  sick  in 
France.  Scarcely  had  he  pronounced  his  vow 
before  he  was  perfectly  restored  to  health.    The 


OIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


nS 


protec- 

a  small 
d,  which 
:  Pretre, 

us  relics, 
specially 
ore  than 
id    it   to 
be  more 
:,  as  that 
ing   been 
r  service. 
J  to  send 
bourgeois 
the  two 
se  he  fell 
DC  a  fatal 
and  the 
lis  emer- 
2  the  mir- 
le  would 
ill  in  his 
vhich  he 
e  a  fund 
:ity  that 
ontreal, 
s  sick  in 
his  vow 
Ih.     The 


following  day  Sister  Bourgeois  called  upon  him, 
and  he  could  not  help  recognizing  the  wonderful 
providence  of  God  in  her  visit.  He  immediately 
gave  her  the  statue  and  the  money,  with  an  au 
thentic  certificate  of  the  miracle  performed  on 
himself  the  day  before,  and  Sister  was  happier  in 
the  possession  of  these  treasures,  than  if  she  had 
gained  the  wealth  of  the  universe.  Never,  indeed, 
was  human  confidence  better  placed  than  on  this  oc- 
casion. 

They  set  sail  soon  after,  and  arrived  safely  at 
Quebec  on  the  1 3th  of  August,  the  same  year.  She 
sent  her  band  of  heroines  direct  to  Ville-Marie,  for 
which  they  had  so  often  sighed  during  their 
journeyings,  and  the  very  name  of  which  animated 
their  zeal  and  fervor,  but  she  herself  was  detained 
at  Quebec  for  some  time.  It  was  necessary  to  have 
the  letters  patent  registered  by  the  local  authori- 
ties so  that  she  would  be  at  liberty  to  put  their 
contents  in  execution,  when  Divine  Providence 
presented  an  occasion.  Her  desire  was  complied 
with  as  soon  as  known,  the  act  of  registration 
taking  place  on  the  17th  of  October,  1672,  after 
which  she  set  out  for  Ville-Marie  to  join  her 
daughters,  and  labor  anew  in  the  service  of  God. 
Glorying  in  being  the  custodian  of  the  miracu- 
ulous  statue,  she  hastened  to  relate  its  wonder- 
ful history  to  Messrs.  Souart  and  Perrot,  who 
authorized  her  to  expose  it  for  public  veneration. 
She  deposited  it  in  the  little  wooden  shed  she  h^d 


-  V   ill 


I' 


111  ii 


ill 
ii 


I  j5    venerable  sister  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

erected  after  her  first  return  from  France,  expects 
ing  to  be  able  to  place  it  more  honorably  in  the 
large  chapel,  that  was  to  be  built  of  stone,  and  de- 
cently ornamented.  This  chapel  was  to  be  a 
kind  of  station  for  the  ordinary  parish  proces- 
sions, and  a  place  of  pilgrimage  for  those  who  had 
a  devotion  to  the  most  holy  Virgin,  when  they 
wished  to  visit  the  statue  in  order  to  obtain 
spiritual  or  temporal  blessings  through  Mary's 
intercession,  such  being  the  intention  of  Messrs. 
le  Pretre  and  Faucamp,  and  of  many  other 
devout  persons  who  had  contributed  towards  its 
erection. 

Despite  the  sorrow  and  humiliations  she  had 
already  experienced  regarding  this  chapel,  she 
set  to  work  again  with  renewed  energy  to  effect 
its  completion,  but  in  order  to  proceed  with  suit- 
able solemnity,  M.  Souart  ordered  a  solemn  pro- 
cession to  be  made  to  the  place,  on  the  29th  of 
June,  1673,  being  the  Feast  of  the  Apostles  SS. 
Peter  and  Paul.  A  great  concourse  of  people 
attended  Vespers  after  the  procession,  and  M. 
Souart,  the  celebrant,  put  a  crucifix  in  the  place 
destined  for  the  altar,  and  the  next  day  laid  the 
corner-stone,  in  the  name,  and  as  the  agent  of 
M.  de  Faucamp.  Sister  Bourgeois  labored  inde- 
fatigably  to  procure  and  disburse  the  necessary 
funds,  a  portion  of  which  she  had  received  in 
France,  as  we  have  seen,  the  remainder  being  con- 
tributed in  Ville-Marie.     The  Sisters  themselves 


fS. 

iixpect- 
'  in  the 
and  de- 
o  be  a 
proces- 
/ho  had 
;n  they 
obtain 
Mary's 
Messrs. 
y   other 
^ards  its 

she  had 
pel,  she 
o  effect 
th  suit- 
mn  pro- 
29th  of 
ties  SS. 
people 
and   M. 
le  place 
aid  the 
gent  of 
d  inde- 
cessary 
ived  in 
|ng  con- 
iselves 


VENERABLE  SIS TER  MARGARET  BO  VRGEOlS.     j  j  >j 

assisted  generously  out  of  their  private  funds, 
and  others  donated  materials  or  labor  which  was 
equivalent.  The  interior  decorations  were  quite 
elaborate,  and  in  due  course  of  time  the  church 
was  finished  to  the  satisfaction  of  every  one.  It 
was  the  first  sto7ie  church  erected  in  Montreal, 
and  was  consecrated  under  the  title  of  **  Notre 
Dame  de  Bon-Secours."  Mass  was  celebrated  in 
it  for  the  first  time  on  the  Feast  of  the  Assump- 
tion, 1675,  this  day  of  Mary's  glorious  triumph 
being  selected  as  its  principal  Festival.  The 
work  being  thus  happily  completed,  Sister  Bour- 
geois, in  the  hope  of  making  it  contribute  more 
effectually  to  the  glory  of  God,  requested  the 
cure  and  church-warden  of  the  parish  to  accf'pt 
the  new  monument  of  piety  for  public  use,  and 
make  it  a  perpetuity  of  the  parish,  in  order  to 
promote  devotion  to  the  Mother  of  God.  The 
donation  was  of  course  accepted  with  gratitude, 
and  confirmed  by  an  ordinance  of  M.  de  Laval, 
dated  November  6,  1678.  Some  years  afterwards, 
by  a  new  arrangement,  dated  January  17,  1700, 
La  Fabrique  gave  the  Sisters  suitable  lots  for  free 
sepulture,  and  the  unrestricted  use  of  the  Chapel 
of  the  Infant  Jesus,  for  their  private  devotional 
exercises,  which  act  was  approved  and  confirmed 
by  M.  de  St.  Vallier,  the  second  Bishop  of  Quebec, 
during  one  of  his  pastoral  visitations  in  1719. 
This  church  of  Bon-Secours  served  for  many  years 
as  a  convent  chapel  to  the  Hospitali6res  of  the 


i 


I  1 8     VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO URGEOIS. 

Hotcl-Dieu,  when  their  hospital  and  convent  was 
burned  down  in  1734,  and  when  they  were  obliged 
to  lodge  their  sick  in  the  houses  adjoining  the 
church,  until  their  re-establishment,  which  did 
not  take  place  for  three  or  four  years. 

We  learn  from  a  letter  of  Sister  Bourgeois,  that 
these  same  religieuses  had  been  previously  burned 
out  in  1695,  but  that  their  hospital  escaped  the 
fury  of  the  flames  at  that  time.  They  sought 
ind  found  a  refuge  with  the  Sisters  of  the  Con- 
gregation, after  the  second  burning,  issuing  forth 
daily  to  serve  the  sick,  and  returning  at  night  to 
discharge  the  reciprocal  duties  of  charity,  conse- 
quent upon  two  different  communities  residing 
in  the  same  house,  and  unavoidably  crowding 
each  other,  yet  no  violation  of  charity  ever  oc- 
curred, and  long  before  the  day  of  separation 
came,  an  enduring  friendship  founded  on  Christ 
had  mutually  existed  between  them.  This 
famous  chapel  of  Bon-Secours  was  burned,  and  re- 
duced to  ashes  in  1754,  as  was  also  a  portion  of 
the  city  of  Montreal. 

The  war  between  France  and  England  occur- 
ring about  that  time,  the  citizens  neglected  to  re- 
build Bon-Secours,  and  the  capture  of  Ville-Marie 
by  the  English,  which  took  place  on  the  Feast 
of  the  Nativity  of  Mary,  1760,  was  perhaps  justly 
attributed  to  public  disorders  and  licentiousness 
(the  colonists  in  many  instances  having  lost  their 
first  fervor),  and  was  also  considered  a  ju.st  pun- 


)JS. 


VENERABLE  SJS TEA'  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,    j  j  g 


ent  was 
obliged 
ing  the 
lich  did 

ois,  that 
-^  burned 
ped  the 

sought 
he  Cori- 
ng forth 
night  to 
r,  conse- 
residing 
rowding 
iver  oc- 

aration 
Christ 
This 
,  and  re- 

tion  of 

occur- 
;d  to  re- 
le-Marie 
Feast 
|s  justly 

)usness 
[st  their 

it  pun- 


ishment for  not  having  erected  anew  the  once 
favored  shrine  of  Mary.  Canada  having  exchanged 
masters,  and  being  under  the  dominion  of  the 
King  of  England,  who  was  a  Protestant  ruler,  the 
inhabitants  of  Montreal  did  not  think  the  time 
favorable  to  rebuild  the  church,  and  it  remained 
a  ruin  until  1771.  They  repented  of  their  inac- 
tion, however,  and  reproached  themselves  with 
cowardice,  attributing  to  their  neglect  the  extra- 
ordinary calamities  that  befell  them.  The  city 
was  scourged  by  two  other  general  conflagrations, 
the  first  occurring  on  the  i8th  of  May,  1765,  when 
in  the  short  space  of  four  hours,  one  hundred 
houses  were  consumed.  The  burning  was  so  vio- 
lent, that  the  flames  leaped  beyond  the  city 
limits,  reaching  out  to  the  General  Hospital, 
which  was  soon  a  mass  of  smoking  cinders.  The 
second  occurred  on  the  nth  of  April,  1768,  more 
than  eighty  of  the  best  public  buildings  being 
destroyed,  including  the  chapel  and  residence  of 
the  Sisters  of  the  Congregation,  also  the  chapel 
of  our  Lady  of  Victories,  which  was  built  on 
their  grounds  in  171 1,  the  repaired  ruins  of  which 
serve  to  this  day  for  school  purposes. 

Much  suffering  and  misery  was  the  result  of 
these  calamities,  but  what  struck  terror  to  the 
hearts  of  the  entire  community,  more  than  any 
other  scourge  of  God,  was  the  insolent  demand 
made  by  some  British  officers,  for  the  land  on 
which   Bon-Secours,  or  rather  its  ruins,  stood. 


:    ' 


1 20    ^'ENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO URGEOIS. 


!1 


They  then  thouf^ht  seriously  of  repairing  their 
fault,  and  a  general  assembly  of  the  citizens  of 
Montreal  was  called  in  June,  1771,  at  which  it 
was  unanimously  decided  that  they  must  labor 
strenuously  to  rebuild  the  chapel.  They  at  once 
appointed  persons  to  draw  the  plans  and  super- 
intend the  work,  and  in  less  than  eight  days  the 
foundation  was  dug,  and  everything  was  in  readi- 
ness. On  the  30th  of  the  same  month  they  in- 
augurated the  building  of  the  second  temple  with 
the  same  religious  ceremonies  that  a  hundred 
years  before  had  called  down  the  material  bene- 
dictions of  Mary  Immaculate  on  the  first  corner- 
stone,  or  rather  on  those  who  laid  it.  The  entire 
city  turned  out  in  procession,  with  an  enthusiasm 
and  splendor  worthy  the  admiration  of  succeeding 
ages,  the  foundation-stones  being  put  in  place  by 
the  most  distinguished  men  of  Montreal.  The  first 
was  laid  directly  under  the  sanctuary,  by  Etienne 
Montgolfier,  Vicar-General  of  the  diocese,  with 
the  following  inscription :  *'  This  church  is  ded- 
icated to  the  Great  and  All-powerful  God,  and 
the  Blessed  Mary  of  Good  Help,  with  the  title 
of  her  glorious  Assumption."  The  second  was 
laid  under  the  grand  entrance  door,  by  Louis 
JoUivet,  beneath  which  was  placed  the  following 
scroll :  "  This  church  was  built  nearly  a  century 
ago,  by  the  Venerable  Sister  Margaret  Bourgeois, 
Foundress  of  the  Congregation  Sisters  of  this  city, 
but  having  been  burnt  in  1754,   the  citizens  of 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,     j  2 1 

Ville-Marie,  who  have  ever  been  the  devoted 
clients  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  on  this  day, 
June  30,  1 77 1,  place  the  first  stone  for  its  re-estab- 
lishment, on  a  nnuch  more  extensive  plan  than 
the  original  design."  The  other  stones  were 
placed  under  different  parts  of  the  building,  by 
persons  of  the  highest  rank,  and  under  each  was 
deposited  a  leaden  plate,  on  which  was  engraven 
the  name  and  rank  of  the  depositor.  In  the 
midst  of  this  general  enthusiasm,  there  soon  arose 
the  vast  and  magnificent  edifice  that  we  behold 
to-day.  Every  one  worked  for  it  in  some  way 
or  other,  and  believed  it  was  an  act  of  religious 
reparation  to  defray  the  expense.  Sister  Bour- 
geois and  her  daughters  had  contributed  largely 
the  first  time,  and  their  descendants  would  not 
be  outdone  in  generosity  on  this  occasion.  They 
donated  600  livres  to  "  the  rebuilding  of  the  tem- 
ple." The  work  was  pressed  forward  with  all 
diligence  and  zeal,  and  was  completely  finished 
in  less  than  two  years.  On  the  30th  of  June,  1773, 
it  was  solemnly  blessed  amid  the  acclamations  of 
the  entire  people  and  Mass  was  celebrated  in  it 
ever  after. 

But  to  return  from  this  long  digression. 
When  Sister  Bourgeois  arrived  at  Ville-Marie 
in  1672,  she  realized  the  full  responsibility  of 
governing  and  providing  for  so  many  young 
aspirants  to  religion,  and  began  to  think  seriously 
of  giving  some  regular  form  to  the  community. 


atr;i.i  .■  -^*l'  '.-»!U  lil.  b 


'■f\ 


I        III! 


122 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


:     I  ;  ' 


Her  second  batch  of  postulants  had  already  ob- 
tained in  Paris  the  approbation  of  M.  de  Laval, 
who  received  their  primary  engagements,  and  she 
ardently  desired  that  her  first  beloved  compan- 
ions should  enjoy  the  same  precious  advantage, 
having  labored  with  her  faithfully  for  twelve  years 
at  Ville-Marie.  She  wrote  on  the  subject  to  M. 
Bornieres,  arch-deacon  of  Quebec,  who  represen- 
ted M.  de  Laval  in  his  absence,  this  prelate  being 
still  in  France.  The  reply  of  the  distinguished 
ecclesiastic,  dated  November  4,  1674,  was: 

"  My  dear  Sister, — I  have  received  the  letter 
in  which  you  ask,  '  Is  it  proper  to  receive  now, 
formally^  in  your  Congregation,  the  Sisters  who 
first  came  with  you  to  Canada,  or  will  it  be  neces- 
sary to  await  the  return  of  the  bishop  ?*  Although 
I  am  persuaded  of  the  propriety  of  what  you  ask, 
nevertheless,  it  will  be  more  prudent  to  await  his 
return,  ashehas  written  to  me  regarding  both  you 
and  your  Congregation,  for  which  he  testifies  much 
esteem.  It  will  be  best  that  he  regulate  everything 
himself,  as  he  will  certainly  make  his  intentions 
known  to  you.  I  trust  that  all  will  be  arranged 
satisfactorily,  for  the  glory  of  God,  the  salvation 
of  souls,  and  your  own  consolation,  and  shall 
off^ "  "vory  assistance  in  my  power  for  the  good 
v.o',  :.  I  salute  your  esteemed  daughters,  and  re- 
<:on.:nei.d  rnyself  to  their  prayers  and  yours." 

M,  de  Laval  returned  to  Canada  the  following 


W- 


s. 


VENERABLE  SIS TER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,     i  23 


dy  ob- 
Laval, 
,nd  she 
^mpan- 
antage, 
e  years 
t  to  M. 
presen- 
:e  being 

guished 

■1  • 
>. 

le  letter 
ve  now, 
ers  who 


lurs. 


)llowing 


year.  The  Sisters  were  all  of  the  same  grade,  no 
distinctions  having  been  made  ;  all  wore  a  uniform 
dress,  similar  to  that  ordinarily  worn  by  pious 
women  of  the  middle  class.  The  color  was  black, 
being  the  same  in  every  respect  as  Sister  Bour- 
geois herself  wore  on  her  first  arrival  at  Ville- 
Marie,  and  which  the  Sisters  continue  to  wear  to 
this  day.  We  will  refer  again  to  her  Memoirs. 
She  says : 

"  In  1670,  I  found  it  necessary  to  undertake 
another  journey  to  France,  and  had  long  felt  in- 
spired to  make  it.  As  I  was  suffering  much  from 
mental  anxiety,  I  hoped  that  an  interview  with 
M.  de  Laval  would  afford  me  some  solace.  He 
was  then  only  Vicar-Apostolic  of  Canada,  but 
I  had  great  confidence  in  his  wisdom,  and 
hoped  he  would  impart  to  me  the  light  necessary 
for  governing  our  community.  I  was  told  that 
I  should  bring  with  me  to  France  the  King's 
letters,  and  endeavor  to  procure  more  postulants. 
For  these  purposes,  I  obtained  the  consent  of  the 
Sisters,  and  was  furnished  with  many  letters  of 
recommendation,  from  the  priests  of  the  Quebec 
and  Montreal  Seminaries.  I  also  had  one  from 
M.  Perrot,  Governor  of  Montreal,  and  successor 
of  M.  de  Maisonneuve.  The  Governor,  who  was 
a  Parisian,  recommended  me  to  his  family  there. 
I  left  Montreal  accompanied  by  M.  de  F^n^lon, 
who  gave  me  a  passage  in  his  boat,  to  Quebec. 
He   was   returning   to   France  on  business,  and 


•mm 


ptny.vi- 


124 


VHNERABLli  SISTLR  MARGARET BOVRGKOIS. 


wished  to  sail  in  the  same  ship  with  me.  Father 
Fremi,  a  Jesuit,  also  embarked  v/ith  us.  On  ar- 
riving at  Quebec,  I  found  myself  very  much  indis- 
posed, and  was  obliged  to  remain  in  the  hospital 
a  few  days,  as  the  ship  was  to  depart  when  the 
wind  became  favorable.  I  requested  M.  de 
F^n^lon  to  permit  his  servant  to  take  charge  of 
my  box,  which  contained  the  papers  above  re- 
ferred to,  and  of  a  little  package  of  clothing, 
that  constituted  my  entire  baggage,  and  to  place 
them  safely  on  board.  The  captain  politely  con- 
sented, but  his  servant  entirely  forgot  both  my- 
self and  my  baggage.  Recovering  from  my  indis- 
position in  two  or  three  days,  I  went  on  board  with- 
out further  precaution,  but  alas,  found  that  I  was 
minus  the  precious  box,  M.  de  F^ndlon  delayed 
a  short  time  to  find  it,  but  all  in  vain.  It  was  not 
forthcoming.  As  the  vessel  was  obliged  to  sail 
with  the  wind,  I  wrote  in  haste  to  M.  Dupuis, 
Major  of  the  garrison  of  Montreal,  who  was  in 
Quebec  at  the  time,  begging  him  to  search  for 
my  box,  and  if  he  found  it,  to  forward  it  to 
France,  by  any  ship  he  might  find  convenient.  I 
particularly  requested  him  to  send  the  papers, 
and  to  return  the  rest  to  our  Sisters  in  Montreal. 
He  fortunately  found  the  box,  and  I  received  it  in 
France  shortly  after.  Behold  me,  then,  embarked 
without  clothing,  without  provisions,  without 
money,  without  anything  for  the  voyage.  Worse 
still,  I  was  the  only  female  in  the  ship,  but  there 


0/S. 

Father 
On  ar- 
ch indis- 
hospital 
'hen  the 
I   M.   de 
harge  of 
ibove  re- 
clothing, 
i  to  place 
itely  con- 
both  my- 
my  indis- 
»ard  with- 
ihat  I  was 
delayed 
t  was  not 
d  to  sail 
Dupuis, 
»  was  in 
arch  for 
rd   it   to 
nient.     I 
papers, 
^Tontreal. 
ived  it  in 
mbarkcd 
without 
.  Worse 
ut  there 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


125 


were  two  good  priests  among  the  passengers,  who 
gave  me  great  consolation.  I  arranged  a  sack 
and  a  roll  of  cordage  for  my  bed,  on  deck,  with 
an  improvised  enclosure.  This  was  my  chamber 
during  my  passage,  which  was  not  very  long, 
however,  as  we  arrived  at  La  Rochelle  in  thirty- 
one  days.  I  had  not  made  a  change  of  under- 
clothing during  the  voyage,  as  I  had  nothing  to 
make  it  with,  except  a  piece  of  coarse  canvas 
given  me  for  a  mattress.  This  I  converted  into  a 
night-dress,  but,  like  all  the  rest,  it  was  lost.  In 
this  unpleasant  condition  I  found  myself  at  La 
Rochelle,  which  country  was  strange  to  me,  and 
I  was  one  hundred  leagues  from  Paris.  It  was 
truly  an  embarrassing  position,  and  I  felt  it  so. 
It  is  true,  one  of  the  priests  offered  me  a  supply 
of  money,  as  payment  for  some  work  that  I  and 
my  companions  had  done  for  him  during  our  first 
stay  in  Quebec,  but  as  I  knew  I  had  money  in  my 
box  when  it  would  arrive,  I  refused  his  offer, 
saying  I  would  be  better  pleased  to  receive  it  in 
Paris,  where  I  should  need  it  more.  It  is  also 
true  that  I  had  lent  132  livres  to  a  young  man  in 
Montreal,  who  had  given  a  note  for  it,  payable  in 
Paris,  and  that  I  had  forwarded  this  note  to  M. 
Blondel,  who  had  hitherto  transacted  our  business 
in  France,  but  he  died  some  time  previous  to  my 
arrival,  and  I  was  left  without  resource,  the  note 
not  having  been  paid,  nor  could  it  be  found  at 
the  time.     M.  F^n61on  was  also  short  of  funds, 


<auv 


»i 


1/ 


I  i 


it'' 


1 26     VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO URGEOIS 

yet  he  contrived  to  lend  me  fifty  livres,  the  greater 
part  of  which  I  used  to  pay  my  fare  to  Paris. 
With  the  balance  I  bought  food,  and  an  absolutely 
necessary  change  of  clothing.  The  captain  and  the 
two  priests  managed  to  get  me  a  comfortable  seat 
in  the  stage,  and  also  a  good  room  at^the  inn,  but 
I  took  my  meals  apart,  although  they  invited  me 
to  dine  with  them." 

She  at  last  arrived  in  the  great  city,  and 
went  directly  to  the  church  of  Notre  Dame,  to 
renew  the  consecration  of  herself  to  God  a.id  His 
holy  Mother,  then  visited  the  College  of  For- 
eign Missions,  to  receive  her  Bishop's  blessing, 
and  give  him  an  account  of  her  voyage,  although 
she  did  not  reveal  her  distress  to  him.  The 
prelate  received  her  with  kindness,  but  as  it  was 
late,  the  visit  was  necessarily  a  short  one,  and  she 
went  away,  almost  dead  with  hunger  and  fatigue, 
to  pass  the  night  at  the  house  of  a  poor  woman, 
in  the  quarter  of  St.  Sulpice.  Next  morning  very 
early  she  went  to  the  church,  to  perform  her 
usual  devotions,  and  after  Mass  a  priest  carried 
the  Blessed  Sacrament  in  procession  to  a  sick 
person.  She  followed  till  they  arrived  at  the 
door  of  the  Seminary.  Here  Divine  Providence 
again  interposed  in  her  favor,  for  one  of  the  two 
priests  who  stood  near  the  door  said  to  his  com- 
panion in  a  loud,  distinct  voice,  "  I  have  just  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  Canada,  in  which  I  am  di- 
rected to  pay  one  hundred  liyres  to  a  person  I 


iOia 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


127 


e  greater 
to  Paris, 
bsolutely 
n  and  the 
table  seat 
e  inn,  but 
ivited  me 

city,  and 
Dame,  to 
d  a.id  His 
e  of   For- 
5  blessing, 
,  although 
lim.     The 
as  it  was 
e,  and  she 
d  fatigue, 
>r  woman, 
rning  very 
rform   her 
st  carried 
to  a  sick 
d   at   the 
rovidence 
f  the  two 
his  com- 
^e  just  re- 
I  am  di- 
person  I 


do  not  know.  Her  name  is  Margaret  Bourgeois." 
**  That  is  my  name,"  she  said,  turning  quickly, 
"  but,  if  the  money  is  for  me,  I  do  not  know 
from  whom  it  comes."  The  good  priest  named 
the  person  who  had  written  to  him,  and  she  in- 
stantly recognized  the  name  of  a  valued  friend, 
one  of  the  priests  in  the  Seminary  at  Quebec, 
who,  not  having  funds  to  pay  her  before  the  em- 
barkation, took  care  that  the  money  should  reach 
her  safely  in  Paris.  It  was  accordingly  handed 
to  her,  and  she  went  directly  to  pay  the  kind 
captain  his  fifty  livres.  Again  this  favored  daugh- 
ter of  God  adored  His  Divine  Providence.  She 
now  confidently  expected  to  receive  her  papers, 
and  did  receive  them  a  few  moments  later.  On 
opening  the  box,  she  took  out  her  letters  of  re- 
commendation, and,  leaving  a  few  at  the  Semi- 
nary, set  out  to  find  the  relatives  of  Messrs. 
Perrot  and  de  Maisonneuve.  She  first  called  at 
the  address  given  in  M.  Perrot's  letter.  As  her 
appearance  was  not  very  presentable,  after  a  long, 
and  not  over-clean  voyage,  she  met  with  a  very 
cool  reception.  However,  when  her  fashionable 
entertainers  read  the  letter  (the  contents  of  which 
she  did  not  know),  they  soon  changed  contempt 
into  respect,  as  M.  Perrot  had  requested  them  to 
receive  her  as  they  would  receive  himself,  assur- 
ing them  that  in  Canada  she  was  regarded  as  a 
little  saint.  She  was  consequently  invited  to  din- 
ner, which  she  gladly  accepted,  as  she  was  much 


128    VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


\\\  I 


in  need  of  it  at  the  moment,  but  their  ceremon- 
ious attentions  did  not  agree  with  her  spirit  of 
mortification  and  humility,  and  she  absolutely  re- 
fused to  remain  over-night,  although  they  pressed 
her  quite  warmly  to  do  so.  She  next  visited  M. 
de  Maisonneuve,  arriving  at  a  very  late  hour,  as 
it  was  in  the  suburbs  of  the  city.  It  is  impos- 
sible to  express  the  joy  that  this  great  ser- 
vant of  God  experienced  on  seeing  her  again. 
He  actually  ran  to  meet  her  and  cordially 
offered  the  hospitality  of  a  little  house  he 
had  just  erected  in  one  corner  of  his  garden, 
telling  her  that  he  had  it  made  to  look  like  an 
Indian  cabin,  expecting  some  one  from  Canada 
might  call  who  would  be  pleased  to  see  any- 
thing to  remind  them  of  home,  and  her  visit  ful- 
filled his  presentiment.  She  gratefully  accepted 
the  kind  offer,  and  lodged  there  during  her  stay 
in  Paris.  This  tried  and  life-long  friend  then 
took  charge  of  her  affairs,  and  rendered  her  the 
most  important  services.  A  few  days  after,  as 
they  were  talking  about  old  times  in  Ville-Marie, 
he  desired  to  show  her  some  papers,  and  laying 
his  hand  by  chance  on  a  shelf  of  the  library,  took 
down  a  paper,  which  proved  to  be  the  identical 
note  for  ij2  livres,  that  she  had  believed  lost. 
After  the  death  of  M.  Blondel,  it  had  been  placed 
for  safe-keeping  in  the  hands  of  M.  de  Maison- 
neuve. She  received  it  very  gratefully,  of  course, 
but  not  at  all  avariciously.     Here  the  memoirs 


ys. 


VENERAHLIi  SISTHK  MARGARET  liOURGEOlS. 


129 


:remon- 
jpirit  of 
itely  re- 
pressed 
sited  M. 
hour,  as 
5  impos- 
eat    ser- 
r  again, 
cordially 
ouse    he 
garden, 
:  like  an 
I  Canada 
see  any- 
visit  ful- 
accepted 
her  stay 
md  then 
her  the 
after,  as 
e-Marie, 
d  laying 
ry,  took 
identical 
ed  lost, 
n  placed 
Maison- 
f  course, 
emoirs 


of  Sister  Bourgeois  become  irregular,  in  both 
dates  and  events,  which  were  perhaps  so  crowded 
that  she  could  not  devote  time  to  take  note  of 
them  in  the  order  of  occurrence,  so  we  will  con- 
tent ourselves  by  relating  a  few  incidents  of  tra- 
ditional report  before  again  returning  to  the  au- 
thentic manuscripts.  At  the  time  of  her  second 
return  to  Montreal,  with  the  six  new  subjects 
that  M.  de  Laval  received  in  France,  she  found 
it  necessary  to  secure  the  services  of  an  honest, 
robust  man,  who  would  be  willing  to  work  for 
them,  when  necessary,  during  their  travels.  She 
accordingly  made  a  contract  with  a  man  named 
Louis  Frin,  whom  she  also  hoped  to  employ  in 
teaching  a  boy's  school  in  Montreal,  in  place  of 
the  young  man  that  died  after  his  arrival  in 
Canada.  This  Louis  Frin  became  afterwards 
Brother  Charon,  and  eventually  was  known  as 
Brother  Louis.  Her  next  care  was  to  secure  pas- 
sages for  her  young  charge  of  eleven  girls,  three  of 
whom  were  her  nieces.  Six  of  this  band  were  in- 
tended for  the  community,  the  remainder  being 
destined  to  become  the  wives  of  as  many  colorw 
ists.  On  this  occasion  they  set  out  from  Paris 
by  way  of  Normandy,  taking  a  boat  on  the 
Seine  as  far  as  Rouen.  Here  they  were  com- 
pelled to  remain  one  month,  and  as  they  were 
not  rich,  their  funds  were  on  the  point  of  being 
exhausted,  the  expense  of  maintaining  so  many 
persons    being    very     considerable.      Madeline 


130 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


i  ,ii 


1  ! 


Sen^cal  kept  the  purse,  and  found  it  necessary 
to  warn  Sister  Bourgeois  that  she  had  not  suffi- 
cient money  to  meet  the  current  week's  expenses. 
"You  seem  to  distrust  the  Providence  of  God, 
my  child,"  replied  Sister,  in  a  tone  of  rebuke,  but 
immediately  added  in  a  pleasant  manner,  "  Since 
it  is  evident  that  we  must  have  a  dinner  of  some 
kind,  fear  nothing,  God  will  provide  it  himself." 
And  God  did  provide  it,  for  that  same  week, 
Louis  Frin,  who  had  remained  in  Paris  with  M. 
de  Maisonneuve  arranging  some  business  matters, 
arrived  at  Rouen,  bringing  to  each  of  the  girls  a 
draft  for  200  livres,  and  also  the  means  of  pur- 
chasing a  full  supply  of  provisions,  until  their  ar- 
rival at  Quebec.  Behold  how  God  provides  for 
those  who  trust  in  Him.  Departing  from  Rouen, 
they  arrived  at  Havre-de-Grace,  one  of  the  sea- 
ports of  Normandy,  and  were  obliged  to  wait 
fifteen  days  for  the  arrival  of  the  ship  that 
was  to  take  them  forever  from  home  and  coun- 
try. During  these  unavoidable  delays.  Sister 
Bourgeois  occupied  both  herself  and  them  with 
the  most  fervent  exercises  of  piety.  Among 
others,  they  proposed  a  pilgrimage  to  the  cele- 
brated shrine  of  "Our  Lady  of  Snows,"  to  pro- 
cure through  her  intercession  the  favor  of  a  suc- 
cessful voyage.  This  shrine  was  one  of  the  most 
famous  places  of  devotion  to  the  Blessed  Virgin 
in  France.  It  was  decided  to  make  the  pilgrim- 
age on  foot,  and  although  they  set  out  early  in  the 


EOIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,    j  ->  £ 


lecessary 
not  suffi- 
expenses. 
:  of  God, 
:buke,but 
jr,  *'  Since 
:r  of  some 
himself." 
me  week, 
s  with  M. 
is  matters, 
the  girls  a 
ns  of  pur- 
til  their  ar- 
ovides  for 
)m  Rouen, 
)f  the  sea- 
id  to  wait 
ship  that 
and  coun- 
ys,    Sister 
hem  with 
Among 
the  cele- 
|s,"  to  pro- 
of a  suc- 
|f  the  most 
,ed  Virgin 
e  pilgrim- 
arly  in  the 


morning,  they  did  not  arrive  at  the  shrine  until 
quite  a  late  hour.  Two  priests  resided  here  in  a 
kind  of  monastery,  one  of  whom  had  just  con- 
cluded his  morning  Mass,  the  other  being  con- 
fined to  his  room  for  six  weeks  by  sickness. 
When  Sister  told  the  first  Father  the  object  of 
their  pilgrimage,  he  immediately  repaired  to  his 
invalid  brother  priest,  whom  he  found  partially 
dressed  and  still  fasting.  Both  returned  to  the 
church,  and  heard  the  confessions  of  the  devoted 
young  pilgrims.  The  sick  Father,  who  had  not 
been  able  to  walk  for  a  long  time  without  the  aid 
of  a  crutch,  then  said  Mass  without  the  least  in- 
convenience. All  fervently  received  Holy  Com- 
munion from  his  hands,  and  he  zvas  fully  restored  to 
health.  Two  days  after  they  set  sail  for  Canada, 
Father  Jean  Baptistc  le  Fevre,  who  was  destined 
for  the  Montreal  Seminary,  accompanying  them 
on  the  voyage.  The  anchor  was  weighed,  while 
all  on  deck  with  uncovered  heads,  implored  the 
protection  of  Mary,  Star  of  the  Sea.  The  heroic 
young  postulants,  with  Sister  Bourgeois,  formed 
a  sort  of  travelliniG^  community,  of  which  she  was 
the  head,  and  during  the  passage  performed 
regular  devotional  exercises  before  the  statue  of 
Our  T.ady  of  Good  Help.  They  were  indeed 
under  the  protection  of  God  and  His  holy 
Mother,  for,  although  England  and  France  were 
then  at  war,  they  carried  in  the  ship  no  other 
artillery  than  brave  hearts  and  arms.     When  the 


<m 


,0  M\' 


132 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


il;l 


35, 


I 


voyage  was  about  half  made,  the  captain,  who 
was  constantly  on  the  look-out,  descried  four 
English  ships,  which  he  calculated  contained  at 
least  twenty-six  pieces  of  cannon.  They  were 
making,  as  it  seemed,  direct  head-way  for  them, 
and  as  he  was  totally  unprepared  for  such  an 
emergency,  he  called  out  to  Sister  Bourgeois,  in 
accents  of  unfeigned  terror:  "We  are  lost,  Me 
are  lost ;  betake  yourselves  to  prayer,  at  once, 
you  and  your  companions."  But  before  his  en- 
treaty was  ended,  one-half  of  her  companions 
had  fainted.  Strange  to  say,  all  on  board,  in- 
cluding the  strongest  men,  turned  to  Sister 
Bourgeois  for  protection,  feeling  persuaded  that 
her  prayers  only  could  save  them  from  becoming 
the  prey  of  the  dreaded  English.  But  her  brave 
and  holy  spirit  knew  no  fear.  She  was  looking 
intently  at  the  white  statue  of  Notre  Dame  de 
Bon-Secours,  and  said,  smiling,  "  If  they  do  take 
us  prisoners  they  will  lead  us  to  England  or  to 
Holland,  and  we  shall  find  God  there  as  well  as 
here,  and  is  not  God  everywhere?"  Her  wonder 
ful  tranquillity  restored  immediate  confidence, 
and  all  knelt  quietly  in  prayer.  It  being  Sunday, 
Father  le  F6vre  prepared  calmly  to  celebrate 
Mass,  although  the  English  ships  approached 
rapidly,  and,  wonderful  to  relate,  in  less  than  two 
hours,  the  foe  had  disappeared  completely,  so 
that  the  Holy  Sacrifice  was  followed  by  the  glori- 
ous   Te  Deum.     Every  one   on   board   believed 


OIS. 


YEN HR ABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


133 


that  this  remarkable  deliverance  was  the  work  of 
Notre  Da))i€  dc  Bon-Secoiirs,  They  arrived  with- 
out further  accident  at  Quebec  on  the  13th  of 
August,  having  been  at  sea  just  one  month  and 
eleven  days.  She  had  scarcely  set  foot  on  land, 
when  an  imprudent  person  informed  her  that  the 
community  in  Montreal  were  in  a  state  of  star- 
vation, and  that  their  house  was  in  a  ruinous  con- 
dition, to  which  she  replied  simply — '*  God's  holy 
will  be  done — even  if  it  falls  to  the  ground,  he  can 
raise  it  again,  when  it  pleases  Him."  She  found 
the  report  unhappily  verified,  however,  on  arriving 
at  Montreal,  as  the  Sisters  were  absolutely  desti- 
tute, yet  she  entertained  no  fears.  Her  confidence 
in  God  being  unshaken,  she  could  always  look 
calmly  and  hopefully  at  the  vicissitudes  of  this 
changeful  passing  life.  The  poor  Sisters  were  ex- 
ceedingly pained  to  have  nothing  better  than  bread 
and  lard  to  offer  her  for  dinner,  but  she  assured 
them  it  was  very  acceptable  to  a  hungry  person, 
and  directed  Sister  Genevieve,  the  cook,  to  prepare 
a  good  supper  for  the  community.  "What  shall  I 
prepare  it  with  ?"  said  the  simple  Sister,  '^  %ve  have 
nothing  in  the  houser  "  Never  distrust  the  Provi- 
^dence  of  God,"  was  the  answer,  ''go  to  your 
kitchen,  and  you  will  find  food."  In  fact,  that 
very  afternoon  several  persons  came  to  visit  them, 
bringing  abundance  of  all  kinds  of  provisions,  so 
that  the  Sisters  were  lost  in  astonishment,  and 
Ncntly  adored  the  providence  of  that  God,  who 
Inever  abandons  those  that  trust  in  Him. 


;|i!'l; 


CHAPTER  IX. 


^! 


THE  RULES  OF  THE  CONGREGATION,  AND  ESTAB- 
MENT  OF  MISSIONS. 

After  having  formed  and  established  her  com- 
munity at  Ville-Marie,  as  we  have  seen,  and  pro- 
vided suitable  buildings  and  funds  to  sustain 
them  in  the  exercise  of  their  duties  in  a  newly- 
settled  country;  having  also  secured  and  regis- 
tered the  letters  patent  that  confirmed  their  right, 
as  a  legally  authorized  Congregation,  she  next 
turned  her  attention  to  three  thing*?  still  necessary 
to  the  perfection  of  her  Institute,  tiamely,  to  pro- 
cure a  sufificient  number  of  subjects,  to  provide  for 
them  approved  rules,  and  to  establish  missions. 
At  first  it  was  not  difficult  to  procure  subjects,  as 
they  presented  themselves  from  all  parts,  being 
attracted,  not  by  temporal  interests,  or  any  sel- 
fish motive,  but  simply  by  the  odor  of  the  virtues 
of  Sister  Bourgeois  and  her  first  saintly  compan- 
ions. But  she  did  not  receive  indifferently  all 
134 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO URGEOIS.     i  -5  5 


NiD  ESTAB- 


that   presented   themselves.     She  was  quite   in- 
sensible to  such  advantages  as  high  birth,  riches, 
and  the  brilliancy  of  natural  or  acquired  talents, 
which  are  sometimes  more  dangerous  than  useful, 
preferring  that   those   she  received  should  have 
good  common  sense,  an  umblemished  character, 
and   solid   virtue,    without    which    qualifications 
she  received  no  one.     If  she  did  not  exact  from 
her  subjects  the  most  sublime  perfection,  she  re- 
quired at  least  that  they  should  have   a  desire 
to  acquire  it  in  proportion  as  God  was  pleased 
to   bestow  it    on    them.     Let    us   hear  her  own 
words  on    the  subject,  as    found  in   a   letter,  in 
which  with  simplicity  she  first  addresses  the  ever 
Blessed  Virgin :     "  My  good  Mother,  I  ask  from 
you  neither  wealth,  nor  honor,  nor  the  pleasures 
of  this  life  for  our  community.    I  only  beg  of  you 
to  obtain  for  me,  that  God  may  be  well  served  in 
it,  and  that  we  may  never  receive  proud  or  pre- 
sumptuous subjects,  who  keep  the  world  and  its 
maxims  in  their  hearts,  who  are  scoffers  and  un- 
truthful, and  who  do  not  study  to  reduce  to  prac- 
tice the  maxims    of   your  Divine  Son,  maxims 
which  He  taught  us  from  the  pulpit  of  the  Cross, 
and  which  you  have  observed  with  so  much  ex- 
actness."   Then,  addressing  those  who  presented 
themselves  for  admission,  she  adds :  "  Yes,  all  who 
wish  to  be  received  into  this  community,  must  re- 
solve to  renounce   not  only  the  principles  and 
maxims  of  the  world,  but  must  also  resolve  to  re- 


m 


I' 


136 


VENHRAHLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BUURGEO 


nounce  themselves,  and  overcome  their  bad  habits 
and  inclinations.  They  must  try  to  sever  the  nat- 
ural ties  that  bind  them  to  friends  and  relatives, 
diS  merely  Yiwmdin  attachments  uselessly  preoccupy 
the  mind.  I  warn  them  that  they  will  be  em- 
ployed in  \o\v\-y  '"  capations,  which  arc  painful 
to  nature;  that  they  will  be  sent  on  missions  with 
a  Sister  who  will  be  charged  to  contradict  them 
in  many  things,  and  treat  them  like  little  children 
— in  one  word,  t'^  h-'nib^e  and  mortify  them  on 
every  occasion,  i  d_^'  "  +hat  they  learn  to  obey 
promptly  any  one  who  n  ay  be  appointed  their 
superior;  that  t.hey  ^e  poo;  '-■.  spirit;  that  their 
words,  gestures,  and  whoie  dcoo< '  '..^ent  be  neither 
frivolous  nor  dissipated,  but  that  they  act  under 
all  circumstances  with  modesty,  reserve,  and  de- 
votion ;  that  they  mortify  their  senses ;  avoid  un- 
necessary conversation,  and  always  endeavor  to 
keep  themselves  in  the  presence  of  God."  Such 
were  the  first  lessons  she  gave  her  postulants,  and 
she  rigorously  exacted  the  execution  of  them. 
Yet,  notwithstanding  these  requirements,  from 
which  she  never  departed,  she  soon  assembled  a 
numerous  community,  that  came  up  to  her  stand- 
ard. We  behold  entering  into  the  Congregation, 
from  its  very  commencement,  young  girls  of  every 
state  and  condition  of  life,  noble  and  simple,  rich 
and  poor,  daughters  of  private  citizens,  merchants, 
mechanics,  and  even  the  savages,  charity  and  hu- 
mility  making  all  equal,  and  as  such  they  were 


VENERABLli  SIS  TER  MARGARET  BO  URGEOIS.    i  ->  y 


\  habits 
the  nat- 
elatives, 
eoccupy 
be  em- 
;  painful 
ons  with 
ict  them 
children 
them  on 
L  to  obey 
ted  their 
hat  their 
)e  neither 
Eict  under 
,  and  de- 
void un- 
eavor  to 
Such 
ants,  and 
f   them, 
ts,  from 
mbled  a 
er  stand- 
[regation, 
of  every 
pie,  rich 
rchants, 
and  hu- 
ey  were 


received  without  distinction.  It  was  truly  a  school 
of  virtue  and  sanctity.  Many  members  of  the 
families  of  Lemoine  and  St.  Ange  entered ;  also 
the  celebrated  Marie  Barbier  of  the  Assumption 
and  Sisters  Dennis,  Bourbo,  Jousset,  etc.,  more 
than  forty  being  received  in  less  than  two  years. 
We  should  also  add  the  name  of  Jearme  Leber, 
who  became  afterwards  the  famous  recluse,  of 
whom  more  anon,  with  many  others  quite  re- 
markable for  sanctity  from  the  beginning.  Nor 
must  we  forget  to  mention  Marie  Theresa 
Gannensagouach,  an  Iroquois,  who,  after  having 
held  the  office  of  school  teacher  at  the  mountain 
for  thirteen  years,  died  in  the  odor  of  sanctity, 
November  25,  1695,  on  that  mission,  where  her 
epitaph  may  be  seen  to-day.  Gannensagouach 
was  not  the  only  person  of  her  tribe  who  became 
remarkable  for  virtue  in  the  Sisters'  school,  and  on 
whom  the  illustrious  Foundress  lavished  care, 
labor,  and  money.  Her  particular  desire  was 
always  the  conversion  of  the  Indians.  This 
was  the  chief  motive  that  induced  her  to  bring 
young  persons  from  France  to  Canada,  repre- 
senting to  them  the  glory  and  merit  of  con- 
verting the  Indians  to  the  true  Faith,  for  which 
sublime  end  they  ought  to  sacrifice  their  lives, 
if  necessary.  She  appointed  two  of  her  first 
faithful  band  to  the  Mission  of  the  Mountain, 
near  Ville-Marie,  which  was  exclusively  an 
Indian  mission.     At  that  time,  it  was  a  rather 


I  ^8     VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

difficult  task  to  go  from  the  city  to  the 
mountain,  as  they  had  to  pass  through  thick 
forests  interspersed  with  marshes  and  wild  sa- 
vannahs, through  which  there  was  neither  road 
nor  track. 

A  priest  from  the  seminary  devoted  himself 
to  the  instruction  of  the  savages,  and  the  two 
missionary  Sisters  were  obliged  to  lodge  in 
bark  cabins  for  a  long  time,  as  the  Indians 
erected  no  better  dwellings,  until  the  time  of 
M.  Belmont,  who  had  stone  houses  put  up 
for  them  at  his  own  expense.  He  also  built 
the  Fort  that  still  exists,  but  the  orchard 
and  c^ardens  were  added  at  a  later  period.  In 
1692,  the  Sisters  lodged  in  a  little  tower  to 
the  right  of  the  entrance  of  the  Fort,  the 
tower  at  the  left  serving  for  a  school  and  a 
bakery.  The  savages  of  this  mission,  after  the 
death  of  Sister  Bourgeois,  were  transported  to 
Sault-au-R6collet,  in  1731,  and  again  in  1732  to 
the  lake  of  the  two  mountains.  These  Indian 
missions,  to  which  the  Sisters  were  always  devoted, 
and  to  this  day  continue  to  be  devoted,  have 
contributed  largely  to  the  spread  of  our  holy 
Faith  among  the  Indians  along  the  St.  Lawrence, 
and  have  produced  much  spiritual  good.  The 
holy  Foundress  supported  at  this  mission  several 
Iroquois  girls,  free  of  charge,  forming  them  to 
habits  of  virtue,  and  inducing  them  to  inspire 
their  companions  with  similar  sentiments.     She 


I     the 

thick 

Id   sa- 

r  road 

limself 
le  two 
Ige    in 
ndians 
ime  of 
mt    up 
D  built 
orchard 
3d.     In 
wer  to 
rt,  the 
and  a 
ter  the 
ted  to 
732  to 
Indian 
voted, 
,  have 
r  holy 
Tence, 
The 
several 
lem  to 
[inspire 
She 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,    j  ^q 

also  kept  a  certain  number  of  these  children  of 
the  forest  among  the  boarders  at  Ville-Marie,  one 
or  two  of  whom  afterwards  became  members  of 
the  Congregation,  and  were  most  useful  on  the 
mission  schools.  It  was  in  compensation  for 
these  benefits  to  the  state  and  to  religion,  and  to 
refund  in  part  the  expense  sustained  by  Sister 
Bourgeois  and  her  community,  that  the  King  of 
France,  in  1676,  ordered  an  appropriation  to  be 
made  by  the  Canadian  Government,  to  give  an- 
nually to  the  Sisters  the  sum  of  two  or  three 
thousand  livres.  The  pension  was  punctually 
paid  until  the  year  1756,  at  which  time  it  was 
withdrawn,  as  Canada  had  passed  under  British 
rule,  after  an  heroic  but  unsuccessful  struggle 
against  the  English  in  1670.  However,  the 
change  of  royal  masters,  and  the  suppression  of 
many  Catholic  charities  consequent  upon  it,  did 
not  lessen  the  love  of  the  Sisters  for  the  poor 
Indians.  These  daughters  and  followers  of 
Christ  continued  to  support  the  Indian  missions 
at  their  oivn  expense^  as  they  do  at  the  present 
day  in  many  instances. 

Although  the  community  was  already  quite 
numerous,  and  continued  steadily  to  increase,  yet 
the  sainted  woman  at  its  head  had  not  procured 
cither  rules  or  constitutions  for  its  government. 
It  is  true,  that  she  was  a  living  rule,  and  model 
of  the  most  sublime  perfection,  and  that  her  fer- 
vent daughters  made  it  a  sacred  duty  toobc}-  and 


39 


m 


m 


»\, 


!!!' 


:il! 
^!l|l 


m 


140 


V'ENERABLB  SISTER  MANGA  RET  BOURGEOIS. 


imitate  her ;  yet  she  felt  even  this  was  not  suffi- 
cient. Though  united  in  the  practice  of  the  most 
holy  observances,  they  were  still  in  a  state  of 
probation — as  they  made  no  vows,  nor  were 
they  bound  by  solemn  engagements.  They  lived, 
notwithstanding,  in  the  strictest  bonds  of  charity, 
laboring  zealously  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  their 
own  spiritual  perfection,  each  by  the  advice  of 
her  confessor  making  such  private  vows  as  her 
particular  devotion  inspired.  But  the  Foundress 
saw  plainly,  that  without  written  rules  and  cus- 
toms, changes  and  innovations  must  gradually 
creep  in,  and  eventually  disturb  or  destroy  the 
end  of  the  Institute,  so  she  set  to  work  with  her 
accustomed  zeal  to  procure  rules  and  constitutions, 
canonically  authorized,  for  the  security  and  per- 
petuity of  the  Congregation.  Filled  with  these 
ideas,which  were  undoubtedly  inspired  by  heaven, 
she  went  to  Quebec  to  confer  with  M.  de  Laval. 
He  approved  of  her  design,  and  counselled  her  to 
return  to  France,  and  learn  from  personal  obser- 
vation the  practices  of  the  most  fervent  communi- 
ties, selecting  the  rules  of  such  as  seemed  conform- 
able to  the  spirit  of  her  Institute.  Being  thus  ad- 
vised by  her  Bishop,  nothing  could  deter  her  from 
making  the  voyage.  Indeed,  she  seemed  insensi- 
ble to  pain,  labor,  or  privation,  on  such  occasions. 
Having  acquainted  her  Sisters  with  his  Lordship's 
decision,  and  given  them  directions  and  advice  for 
their  good  government  during  her  absence,  she 


'-■>        I 


EN ER ABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


141 


courageously  embarked  the  third  time,  and  was  ab- 
sent one  whole  year.  She  employed  herself  like 
the  great  St.  Anthony,  in  collecting  and  select- 
ing the  holy  rules  that  were  given  by  persons 
eminent  for  piety  and  wisdom.  She  was  specially 
attracted  by  the  writings  of  St.  Augustine,  as 
they  contained  maxims  and  regulations  replete 
with  prudence  and  discretion.  This  saint  quotes 
largely  from  the  instructions  left  by  St.  Ambrose 
and  other  Fathers  of  the  Church,  addressed  to 
the  first  Christian  virgins,  instructing  them  how 
to  reduce  to  practice  the  evangelical  counsels  and 
maxims,  and  enlightening  them  on  the  observance 
of  the  three  vows  of  poverty,  chastity,  and  obedi- 
ence. These  writings  reccommend  pre-eminently 
a  love  of  silence  and  retreat  from  the  world, 
charity  among  the  Sisters,  assiduity  at  work,  pious 
reading,  prayer,  and  the  frequentation  of  the 
Sacraments,  under  the  guidance  of  ecclesiastical 
superiors,  with  whom  they  were  to  share  the 
glory  and  merit  of  instructing  and  edifying  the 
faithful.  Such  was  the  spirit  of  the  rule  that 
Sister  Bourgeois  brought  with  her  from  France, 
to  place  in  the  hands  of  her  Bishop  and  obtain  his 
approbation  of  it.  But  during  her  absence,  the 
spiritual  government  of  Canada  had  been  seriously 
changed.  There  was  no  longer  a  Bishop  in  the 
country,  as  M.  de  Laval,  shortly  before  her  re- 
turn, became  despondent  under  bodily  in^'-mities, 
which  were  frequently  so  painful  as  to  prevent 


142 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


his  discharging  the  duties  of  his  ministry  as  suc- 
cessfully as  he  desired ;  therefore  he  returned  to 
France,  for  the  purpose  of  tendering  his  resig- 
nation to  the  proper  authorities,  and  demanding 
a  successor.  His  solicitations  for  release  from 
episcopal  functions  were  very  urgent,  so  that  al- 
though he  was  highly  esteemed  in  Paris  for  his 
many  virtues  and  acknowledged  ability  and  merit, 
his  resignation  was  accepted,  the  King  imme- 
diately appointing  M.  Jean  Lacroix  de  St.  Vallier 
his  successor,  who  consequently  became  the  sec- 
ond Bishop  of  Quebec.  On  Sister  Bourgeois'  ar- 
rival, therefore,  she  found  no  bishop  to  whom 
she  could  confide  her  rules,  and  took  the  resolu- 
tion of  putting  them  in  execution  provisionally ^ 
until  a  Bishop  should  be  appointed  for  Canada, 
which  appointment  was  not  carried  into  effect 
for  three  years  after,  although  M.  de  St. 
Vallier  had  been  formally  nominated  by  royal 
authority,  as  has  been  related.  We  find  in  her 
Memoirs  of  this  voyage,  the  following — "In  1680, 
Mme.  Perrot,  wife  of  the  Governor  of  Montreal, 
determined  to  return  to  France,  for  the  benefit 
of  her  health,  which  was  much  impaired.  Know- 
ing her  intention,  and  having  obtained  the  con- 
sent of  our  Sisters,  I  offered  to  accompany  her 
as  travelling  companion,  and  was  accepted.  My 
real  desire,  however,  was  to  obtain  rules  for  our 
Congregation.  On  arriving  at  la  Rochelle  I  left 
Mme.   Perrot,  and  went  direct  to  Paris,  as  I  felt 


s. 


VENERABLE  Hi^i hK  MAKGAKET  BOURGEOIS.     1 43 


as  SUC- 
ned  to 
5  resig- 
landing 
ie  from 
that  al- 
for  bis 
d  merit, 
r   imme- 
'.  Vallier 
the  sec- 
reois'  ar- 
\,o  whom 
e  resolu- 
isionally, 
Canada, 
o   effect 
de    St. 
y   royal 
d  in  her 
'In  1680, 
ontreal, 
benefit 
.  Know- 
tbe  con- 
|pany  her 
ed.     My 
for  our 
;lle  I  left 
as  1  felt 


quite  sick  after  the  voyage.  The  following  day 
Ikother  Louis,  who  also  chanced  to  be  in  Paris, 
invited  me  to  his  house,  where  I  took  a  much 
needed  rest  for  a  few  days,  but  another  friend,  M. 
.  Turmenie,  being  informed  of  my  illness,  sent  a 
sedan,  carried  by  two  stout  men,  to  take  me  to  his 
house,  where  I  remained  during  an  illness  of  fif- 
teen days,  being  treated  with  as  much  kindness  as 
if  I  had  been  his  sister.  When  my  health  was  re- 
established I  went  to  lodge  with  the  'Daughters  of 
the  Cross,'  in  the  Rue  St.  Antoine.  In  this  com- 
munity I  received  light  in  many  things  relating 
to  our  holy  rules  and  constitutions.  Under- 
standing from  these  good  religieuscs,  that  M. 
St.  Vallier  was  staying  at  the  College  of  For- 
c-^n  Missions,  I  went  there  to  ask  his  b!  ssing,  .s 
I  felt  in  duty  bound.  But  his  Lordship  did 
not  approve  of  my  proceedings,  and  told  me  quite 
curtly  that  I  should  not  have  made  the  voyage, 
nor  seek  rules  for  the  community  either,  and  he 
absolutely  forbade  me  to  take  any  new  subjects 
from  France  on  my  return."  However,  as  he  was 
not  very  explicit  in  his  speech  regarding  the 
rules,  and  as  Sister  Bourgeois  was  already  fur- 
nished with  two  different  formulas  (one  being 
received  from  M.  Jandret,  the  other  from  the 
Daughters  of  the  Cross),  she  did  not  in  the  least 
resent  the  humiliation,  but  quietly  set  to  work  to 
find  other  means  of  perfecting  what  was  then  in 
her   possession.     On  leaving   M.  de  St.  Vallier, 


W  -I 


it 


¥■' 


1 44    VENERABLE  SIS TER  MARGARET  BO  URGEOIS. 

she  went  to  the  Convent  of  the  Community  of 
Miramion,  so  named  from  Mme.  de  Miramion, 
their  Foundress,  who  was  still  living.  Sister 
wished  to  confer  with  this  illustrious  woman  on 
the  subject  of  her  rules,  and  to  add  or  retrench, 
as  the  holy  religieuse  might  suggest.  But  Mme. 
de  Miramion,  having  been  informed  that  M. 
de  St.  Vallier  wished  to  give  rules  to  the  Congre- 
gation himself,  in  order  not  to  displease  the 
Bishop,  she  refused  to  take  any  part  in  the  affair. 
While  Sister  Bourgeois  patiently  awaited  the 
moment  when  her  rules  should  be  approved,  she 
had  a  very  heavy  cross  to  bear.  Almighty  God  ap- 
peared until  then  to  have  visibly  protected  all  her 
enterprises.  But  now  she  was  to  pass  through  se- 
vere trials  in  order  to  perfect  her  virtue,  trials  which 
conduced  more  to  her  sanctification  than  all  the 
voluntary  pains  and  mortifications  she  inflicted 
on  herself.  Besides  the  sorrow  she  endured  at 
being  so  unexpectedly  repelled  in  the  attempt  to 
have  her  rules  approved  (a  cross  she  endured  for 
many  years),  she  had,  on  her  return  to  Montreal, 
to  suffer  the  cruel  anguish  of  seeing  the  fruit  of 
all  her  past  labors  perish  before  her  eyes,  in  a  few 
moments.  The  beloved  home  of  her  community 
took  fire  on  the  night  of  the  6th  of  December, 
1683,  and  quicker  than  can  be  told,  not  only  the 
house,  but  its  poor  furniture,  and  everything 
else  it  contained  was  consumed.  The  fire  was  so 
sudden  and  violent,  that  the  Sisters  wei     en- 


nity  of 
ramion, 
Sister 
nan  on 
strencb, 
it  Mme. 
:hat    M. 
Congre- 
-ase   the 
he  affair, 
ited    the 
oved,  she 
y  God  ap- 
ed all  her 
trough  se- 
als which 
in  all  the 
inflicted 
idured  at 
ttempt  to 
dured  for 
Montreal, 
fruit  of 
IS,  in  a  few 
)mmunity 
December, 
only  the 
Iverything 
Ire  was  so 
wei     en- 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO URGEOIS.    1 45 

veloped  by  smoke  and  flames  in  an  instant,  two  of 
her  best  subjects  being  burned  to  death.  These 
were  Sister  Genevieve,  the  assistant,  and  Sister 
Margaret  Soumillard,  a  niece  of  the  Foundress. 
The  rest  barely  escaped  with,  their  lives.  Sister 
Bourgeois  felt,  more  than  any  one  else,  the 
horrors  of  the  accident,  and  a  spirit  less  strong, 
and  a  heart  less  brave  than  hers,  would  have 
naturally  yielded  to  despair.  She  sincerely  re- 
gretted the  death  of  her  dearly  loved  Sisters, 
more  for  the  loss  the  community  must  sustain 
for  their  untimely  end,  than  because  her  own 
niece  was  one  of  the  victims,  and  her  tears  were 
all  the  moie  bitter,  as  she  judged  herself  to  be 
the  cause  of  the  calamity. 

"  It  is  a  just  punishment  from  heaven  for  my 
weakness,"  she  said,"in  V«r.  vingso  far  departed  from 
the  spirit  01  j-v^vcrty,  humility,  and  mortification  in 
which  I  should  always  have  lived,  as  to  consent 
to  the  building  of  that  great  house.  It  were 
better  to  have  continued  living  in  the  stable  that 
was  given  us,  and  with  which  we  should  have 
been  contented."  It  was  her  love  of  virtue,  how- 
ever, that  made  her  speak  thus,  as  the  house  was 
very  far  from  being  either  great  or  magnificent. 
It  was  only  a  woodcr  edifice,  and  was  too  sm.all 
and  inconvenient  for  the  many  good  works  to 
which  the  Sisters  applied  themselves  unceasingly. 
She  soon  perceived,  notwithstanding  all  her  sen- 
timents of  humility,  that  the  building  must  go  up 


w 


146 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


\%  > 


\\,  '■ 


-   t. 


again  for  the  greater  glory  of  God.     Although 
then  deprived  of  every  temporal  resource,  with 
the  blessing  of  God,  and  under  the  protection  of 
His  holy  Mother,  nothing  seemed  difficult.     Ob- 
stacles only  strengthened  her  faith  and  aroused 
her  courage.       She  hoped  against  hope,  and  de- 
termined on  the  spot  to  put  her  hand  to  the  work 
again,  placing  more  confidence  than  ever  in  Jesus 
and  Mary,  to  whom,  as  to  a  good  mother,  she  al- 
ways had  recourse.     Nor  had  she  long  to  await 
the  result  of  her  confidence.     Divine  Providence 
stirred  up   the  sympathies  of  the  charitably-dis- 
posed, who  gave  her  abundant  means  to  build  a 
large  stone  edifice,  more  solid  and  architectural 
than   the   former  one.     This   second   house  re- 
mained intact  until  the  great  fire  of  1763;  and  of 
the   buildings    afterwards  added  we  shall   soon 
have  occasion  to  speak  more  fully.     Sister  was 
still   laboring  for  the  erection   of   the  building, 
when  M.  de  St.  Vallier,  having  been  consecrated 
in    Paris,  January,    1686,  by    M.   de    Laval,    his 
predecessor,  returned  to  Canada,  accompanied  by 
the  latter  prelate,  who  came  back  to  end  his  days 
in  the  practice  of  the  most  sublime  virtues  of 
private  life  in  the  Seminary  of  Foreign  Missions 
at  Quebec.     He  always  honored  and   esteemed 
Sister  Bourgeois,  and  watched  over  her  with  sin- 
gular interest.     He  died,  as  he  had  lived,  a  Saint, 
May  6,   1708.     M.   de  St.  Vallier  devoted  him- 
self to  the  affairs  of  his   diocese  without  inter- 


OIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


H7 


Llthough 
rce,  with 
ection  of 
lit.     Ob- 
l  aroused 
:,  and  de- 
the  work 
r  in  Jesus 
ler,  she  al- 
;  to  await 
rovidence 
itably-dis- 
to  build  a 
:hitectural 
house  re- 
63;  and  of 
hall   soon 
Sister  was 
building, 
DHsecrated 
aval,    his 
paniedby 
d  his  days 
virtues  of 
n  Missions 
esteemed 
r  with  sin- 
d,  a  Saint, 
oted  him- 
lout  inter- 


1 


mission,  and  it  was  in  the  hands  of  this  new  pre- 
late that  Sister  placed  the  copy  of  her  rules  and 
constitutions.     He  esteemed   the  heroic  woman 
and  her  community;  he  noticed  and  admired  the 
constancy  and  courage  with  which  they  endured 
the   inconveniences  resulting  from   their   recent 
calamity,  and  he  gave  them  many  marks  of  con- 
fidence and  esteem  but  regarding  the    institute 
and  rules  of  the  Foundress,  he  then  entertained 
views  different  'rom  hers.     Judging  of  things  by 
the  light  of   human   prudence,  he  thought  the 
community  could  never  raise  itself  again  to  the 
position  it  occupied  before  the  fire,  and  wishing 
to  prevent  a  multiplicity  of  institutions   in  his 
diocese,  he  formed  the  design  of  uniting  the  ris- 
ing community  to  the  Ursulincs  at  Quebec.     These 
ladies  had  already  taken  steps  to  establish  them- 
selves at  Ville-Marie,  and  there  are  still  extant 
a   few  letters  written  on   the  subject.     But   M. 
d'Olier,   superior   of   the   Seminary,   who    knew 
better  than  any  one,  the  merits  of  Sister  Bour- 
geois, did  not  give  them  much  hope  of  establish 
ing  a  new  mission.     He  received  their  request 
rather  ungraciously,  and  took  the  liberty  of  mak- 
ing humble    but    strong    representations  to  the 
Bishop  on  the  subject.      Sister  Bourgeois  also  rep- 
resented to  him,  firmly  and  respectfully,  that  the 
good  she  hoped  to  effect  in  the  diocese,  with  the 
assistance  of  her  daughters,  was  not  at  all  com- 
patible with  the  rules  of  another  institute,  es- 


1 ' 


148 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


pecially  of  a  cloistered  one;  that  such  a  step 
would  entirely  destroy  the  views  by  which  she 
felt  herself  inspired,  and  which  she  believed  came 
directly  from  God;  that  she  already  had  the 
approval  of  legitimate  superiors,  and  that  the  ever 
Blessed  Virgin,  to  whom  she  and  her  entire  com- 
munity were  especially  consecrated,  had  given 
them  unequivocal  marks  that  the  establishment 
was  agreeable  to  her.  That  besides  their  general 
intention  of  instructing  children,  they  had  bound 
themselves  to  labor  unceasingly  for  the  spiritual 
perfection  oi  poor  girls  who  desired  to  consecrate 
themselves  to  God,  but  who  from  lack  of  fortune 
could  not  do  so,  as  the  cloistered  orders  invariably 
required  their  subjects  to  bring  a  moderate  for- 
tune for  their  maintenance.  That  one  of  her  chief 
desires  was  to  open  the  doors  of  the  Congrega- 
tion to  persons  of  this  description,  and  that,  mak- 
ing no  account  of  riches,  she  would  rather  re- 
ceive portionless  a  Sister  who  could  not  buy  the 
necessary  clothing,  if  she  had  a  true  vocation  and 
a  good  ivill,  than  a  rich  one  who  had  not  these 
qualifications.  It  was  certainly  her  intention  to 
receive  the  Congregation  Sisters  free,  although 
the  French  King  subsequently  directed  her  to 
exact  a  dowry  of  at  least  2CXX)  livres.  However, 
she  was  permitted  to  relax  somewhat  in  this 
matter,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  according  to 
the  dictates  of  prudence  and  the  circumstances 
of  the  person.     All  these  reasons  seemed  to  make 


h  a  step 
rhich  she 
ved  came 
had  the 
,t  the  ever 
itire  com- 
lad   given 
blishment 
z\x  general 
lad  bound 
e  spiritual 
consecrate 
of  fortune 
invariably 
derate  for- 
)f  her  chief 
Congrega- 
that,  mak- 
rather  re- 
)t  buy  the 
Kation  and 
not  these 
■tention  to 
,  although 
led  her  to 
However, 
[at  in  this 
ording  to 
mstances 
Id  to  make 


VRNERABLE  UlSTliK  MARGA  RUT  HO URGlii  )1S.     j  ^^ 

an  impression  on  the  mind  of  M.  de  St.  Val- 
lier,  but  he  had  other  business  on  hand  just 
then,  being  occupied  with  the  founding  of  a 
General  Hospital  at  Quebec,  and  an  Ursuline  es- 
tablishment at  Three  Rivers.  He  was  therefore 
not  in  a  hurry  to  approve  the  constitutions  of 
Sister  Bourgeois,  preferring  to  take  time  to  ex- 
amine them,  and  make  the  changes  he  thought 
necessary.  Sister  herself  had  a  strong  interior 
presentiment  that  never  deceived  her.  She  felt 
that  God  approved  of  her  work,  and  therefore 
awaited,  in  patient  silence,  the  moment  marked 
by  Divine  Providence,  for  giving  the  approval 
she  so  earnestly  desired.  This  moment  came  at 
last,  after  long  years  of  painful  suspense,  and  just 
two  years  before  her  happy  death.  She  had  then 
the  consolation  to  see  approved,  and  solemnly 
established  forever  in  her  institute,  all  that  she 
had  constantly  and  faithfully  practised,  by  way 
of  trial,  since  her  last  return  from  France.  The 
solemn  approbation  was  given  by  M.  de  St. 
Vallier,  June  24,  1698,  during  his  episcopal  visit- 
ation at  Villc-Marie,  Sister  Assumption  being 
then  superior.  The  holy  Foundress  had  resigned 
her  office  of  superior  in  1693,  desiring  to  be  the 
[first  to  set  an  example  of  profound  humility,  in 
I  obedience  to  the  rules  that  she  had  spent  a  life- 
time in  bringing  to  perfection.  But  before  her 
withdrawal  from  office,  she  had  formed  a  great 
number  of  establishments  in  the  diocese.     We 


*11 


ISO 


/  IWliRABLli  SlSTIiR  MARCAKiri'  BOURGliOlS. 


have  already  spoken  of  the  Mission  of  the  Moun- 
tain, which  was  the  first,  but  not  the  only  one 
made  in  the  commencement.  There  were  also 
those  of  la  Chine,  and  Pointe-aux-Trembles  at 
Montreal.  As  the  population  slowly  and  steadily 
increased,  the  suburbs  enlarged,  two  new  parishes 
being  erected  in  1670.  Sister  Bourgeois  knew 
full  well  that  these  parishes  could  not  afford  even 
the  necessary  means  of  subsistence  for  missionary 
Sisters,  but  she  saw  that  much  good  could  be  ac- 
complished, by  sending  Sisters  there,  and  she  sent 
them.  In  those  days  she  made  no  provisional 
contracts  for  the  Sisters  who  went  on  misssions, 
but  trusting  entirely  to  the  Providence  of  God, 
left  their  support  in  his  hands.  Very  frequently 
the  early  missions  were  temporary  arrangements, 
the  Sisters  going  for  a  time  to  effect  good,  where- 
ever  good  might  be  accomplished.  In  the  mis. 
sions  established  after  her  resignation  and  death, 
the  Sisters  who  succeeded  her  were  animated  by 
the  same  spirit,  and  closely  followed  the  same 
plan.  Nothing  is  more  admirable  or  edifying 
than  the  advice  she  gave  the  Sisters  before  sending 
them  on  missions.  "  Think,my  child,"  she  would 
say,  *'  that  you  are  going  to  collect  the  drops  of 
blood  that  Jesus  lost  during  his  passion.  Oh,  how 
contented  a  Sister  sent  on  the  mission  would  be, 
if  she  realized  that  God  himself  sent  her  and  ac- 
companied \it.x.  If  she  reflected  that  she  might 
and   ought  to  testify  the  deepest   gratitude  to 


HOIS. 


VENERAlUJi  SIS  TER  MARGARET  BO URGECIS.     \  5  i 


he  Moun- 
only  one 
were  also 
embles  at 
id  steadily 
w  parishes 
eois  knew 
ifford  even 
missionary 
Duld  be  ac- 
rid she  sent 
provisional 
misssions, 
ce  of  God, 
frequently 
ngements, 
od,  where- 
the  mis. 
and  death, 
imated  by 
the  same 
r  edifying 
re  sending 
she  would 
drops  of 
Oh,  how 
would  be, 
er  and  ac- 
,he  might 
titude  to 


Him  from  whom  she  has  received  all,  then  she 
would  find  nothing  difficult,  and  nothing  tedious; 
she  would,  on  the  contrary,  despise  the  world, 
suffer  all  kinds  of  torment,  and  even  endure  a 
shameful  death,  rather  than  neglect  her  charge." 
In  fact.  Sister  Bourgeois  set  no  bounds  to  her 
zeal  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  Montreal.  It 
was  ever  her  uppermost  thought.  During  her 
life,  and  bjfore  her  constitutions  were  solemnly 
approved,  her  daughters  were  to  be  found  in 
every  part  of  the  diocese,  laboring  for  the  salva- 
tion of  souls.  Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  M.  de 
St.  Vallier,  he  received  a  communication  from 
Father  Lamy — who  was  then  pastor  of  the  isle 
of  Orleans — asking  for  a  mission  of  the  Sisters 
of  the  Congregation  for  his  parish,  and  stating 
that  he  was  not  a  stranger  to  the  good  they  had 
effected  in  Montreal.  The  zealous  prelate  im- 
mediately wrote  to  Sister  Bourgeois  for  two 
Sisters  to  found  the  mission.  She  was  at  the 
time  laboring  hard  to  re-establish  her  institute 
after  the  losses  it  sustained  by  the  fire,  and  it 
did  not  seem  prudent  at  such  a  time  to  under- 
take a  new  foundation,  yet  she  did  not  hesitate  a 
moment.  Sisters  Anne  and  Assumption  being 
sent  to  make  a  trial,  in  the  beginning  of  winter. 
They  had  unheard-of  hardships  to  endure,  but 
they  persevered  in  the  work,  being  protected  by 
Divine  Providence  in  a  very  singular  manner,  and 
finally   the  mission   was    established,  and    grew 


152 


VENHRAHLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


'II: 


ill! 


IB  31 


4  ^  ; 

iii 


more  prosperous  day  by  day.     In  the  following 
spring  the  Bishop  formed  another  project,  viz.,  an 
establishment  in  which  he  intended  to  educate 
and  support  a  number  of  poor  girls  he  had  as- 
sembled from  different  parts  of  the  colony,  in- 
tending that  said  establishment  should  be  main- 
tained partly  by  charity,  and  partly  by  the  labor 
of  the  inmates.     He  wished  to  confide  the  work 
to  the  care  of  the  Congregation  Sisters,  as  he  saw 
daily  proofs  of  their  zeal  in  the   Mission  of  the 
Holy  Family,  in  the  isle  of  Orleans.     Sister  Bour- 
geois accepted  the  duty  with  reluctance,  as  it  did 
not  appear  to  coincide  with  the  spirit  of  her  in- 
stitute.    However,  rather  than  disoblige  the  Bish- 
op, she  sent  Sister  Assumption  to  Quebec,  having 
sent    Sister  St.  Ange  to   take  her  place.     This 
Sister  worked  wonders  in  her  new  position,  yet 
the  ultimate  success  of  the  enterprise  was  doubt- 
ful and  slow,  so  slow  that  it  was  suppressed  the 
following  year.     The  Bishop  divided  its  labors  be- 
tween two  communities, which  division  eventually 
gave  birth  to  the  General  Hospital  and  the  Con- 
gregation   Mission    at     Quebec.     His   Lordship 
thought  seriously  of  conferring  with  the  sainted 
Foundress,  about  rules  she  brought  from  France, 
and  wrote  to  her  on   the  subject,  requesting  an 
early  interview.     She  no  sooner  understood  that 
her  superior  required  her   at  Quebec,  than  she 
took  the  road,  on  foot,  in  the  very  depth  of  win- 
ter, being  often  obliged  to  go  forward  on  her 


:l|i 


'S. 

lowing 
viz.,  an 
ducatc 
lad  as- 
►ny,  in- 
c  main- 
e  labor 
le  work 
he  saw 
of  the 
^r  Bour- 
LS  it  did 
her  in- 
he  Bish- 
,  having 
J.     This 
ion,  yet 
doubt- 
sed  the 
bors  be- 
ntually 
e  Con- 
rdship 
ainted 
ranee, 
ing  an 
d  that 
u  she 
f  win- 
n  her 


VENHRAHLH  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


153 


knees,  now  in  the  snow,  now  on  the  ice,  and  occa- 
sionally through  tracts  covered  with  water.  This 
was  her  customary  mode  of  travelling  through 
Canada.  Having  at  last  arrived  at  her  destina- 
tion, after  incredible  suffering  and  dangers,  we 
next  find  her  carrying  on  her  shoulders  the  dif- 
ferent articles  of  furniture  and  utensils  necessary 
for  housekeeping,  that  were  needed  by  Sister 
Assumption  in  the  House  of  Providence,  already 
described.  Here  was  truly  a  mortified,  humble, 
and  penitential  spirit,  such  as  this  fallen  world 
seldom  sees.  We  have  before  remarked  that  the 
House  of  Providence  lasted  but  one  year,  after 
which  it  was  changed  into  a  mission.  It  was  at 
first  situated  in  the  upper  town,  between  the 
Hotel-Dieu  and  the  Cathedral.  But  another  trial 
awaited  the  foundation. 

The  Sisters  had  hoped  to  be  able  to  retain 
peaceable  possession  of  the  ground  purchased  for 
the  house,  as  the  owners  had  come  to  an  amicable 
arrangement,  and  they,  the  Sisters,  were  already 
in  possession.  But  just  then  an  individual  ap- 
peared, v/ho  asserted  that  she  had  an  old  and 
valid  lease  of  the  property,  which  she  was  not  dis- 
posed to  set  aside,  and  so  the  Sisters  were  com- 
pelled to  leave  the  premises,  and  go  once  more 
to  reside  in  an  old  stable.  Writing  of  this  event, 
the  Foundress  uses  the  following  language :  "  I 
am  rejoiced  to  hear  that  you  again  live  in  a 
stable,  but  at  the  same  time  I  am  pained  to  learn 


4  - 


I  54     VENERABIM  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

that  your  friends  have  testified  displeasure  at 
the  occurrence.  I  have  a  great  desire  to  live  in 
charity  with  all  the  world,  because  God  com- 
mands us  to  love  our  neighbor,  and  it  is  this 
desire  that  at  present  prevents  me  from  contest- 
ing our  claim."  Nevertheless,  she  was  obliged 
to  attend  to  the  matter  in  a  charitable  way.  The 
property  was  fairly  purchased,  and  she  had  the 
title-deed  in  her  possession,  but  perceiving  that 
other  interested  parties  also  murmured  about  the 
sale,  far  from  defending  her  rights,  according  to 
the  letter  of  the  law,  she  left  the  whole  matter 
at  the  discretion  of  the  adverse  party,  saying 
pleasantly  that  she  wished,  at  any  cost,  to  pre- 
serve charity  with  her  neighbor,  and  she  also 
wished  her  neiglibor  to  feel  charitably  disposed 
towards  her.  Her  own  words  on  the  occasion 
are :  '*  I  am  convinced  this  proceeding  is  an  un- 
just one,  but,  as  I  understand,  the  contending 
party  still  objects.  She  will  never  forgive  us  for 
the  supposed  wrong  we  have  done  her.  I  cannot 
endure  that  we  become  even  the  innocent  cause 
of  such  angry  resentment.  So,  intending  to  re- 
nounce all  claim  to  the  property,  I  went  to  cast 
myself  at  the  feet  of  Mary,  my  mother,  and  on 
leaving  the  church,  a  person,  to  whom  I  had  not  re- 
vealed our  embarrassment,  met  me,  and  offered  a 
sum  of  money  equal  to  what  the  dissatisfied  parties 
claim,  and  now  the  matter  is  quietly  settled,  and 
we  are  the  owners."     In   1692  this  site  was  ex- 


f;s 


VESBRAHIM  SIHTBR  MARGAHLT  BOURGEOIS.    I  5  5 


m 


re  at 
ive  in 
com- 
5  this 
intcst- 
bligcd 
The 
id  the 
nr  that 
»ut  the 
ing  to 
matter 
saying 
:o  pre- 
e  also 
sposed 
casion 
an  un- 
nding 
us  for 
annot 
cause 
to  re- 
o  cast 
nd  on 
not  re- 
red  a 
arties 
,  and 
as  ex- 


changed for  a  much  more  extensive  one  in  the 
lower  town,  which  the  community  still  occupies. 
It  was  purchased  from  Francis  Hazur,  a  mer- 
chant of  Quebec,  and  a  devout  Christian.  In 
order  to  testify  his  esteem  for  the  Foundress,  and 
the  confidence  he  had  in  her  prayers  and  those  of 
her  community,  he  made  a  considerable  reduc- 
tion in  the  price  of  the  property,  preferring  pray- 
ers for  himself  and  his  descendants  to  a  paltry 
earthly  advantage.  He  would  not  have  been  so 
con:iiderate,  however,  if  the  sale  had  been  made 
to  other  parties.  Notwithstanding  this  visit  of  the 
heroic  woman  to  Quebec,  she  did  not  succeed  in  re- 
ceiving the  approbation  of  her  rules,  and  the  m;^t- 
ter  still  remained  in  suspense.  Her  next  labor  of 
Christian  love  was  to  erect  a  House  of  Providence 
in  Montreal  on  the  model  of  the  one  in  Quebec. 
The  Sisters  took  charge  of  it,  and  it  lasted  longer 
than  the  first.  But  in  1694,  when  she  was  no 
longer  superior,  the  community  resolved  to  aban- 
don the  establishment,  as  it  had  no  other  sup- 
port than  the  scanty  charity  of  the  people,  and 
even  that  was  given  coldly.  Besides,  the  object 
proposed  was  not  in  accordance  with  the  spirit 
of  their  society,  and  it  could  not  be  sustained 
without  a  miracle.  Although  it  is  quite  certain 
that  Sister  Bourgeois  established  many  other  suc- 
frjjr/)// missions,  it  is  impossible  to  give  the  dates 
of  their  foundation  with  accuracy,  nor  is  this  to 
be  wondered  at,  when  we  consider  the  perilous 


(•:  IS! 


I  56    /  EA\EkABLR  SISTliK  MARGAKLT  HOURGLOIS. 

condition  of  Canada  during  her  life,  whether  we 
remember  the  bloody  atrocities  of  the  savages 
on  the  often  defenceless  colonists,  or  the  fiercely 
contested  wars  between  the  French  and  English 
that  demoralized  the  whole  state  of  society 
north  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  or  the  tremendously 
destructive  fires  that  swept  away  whole  cities 
in  whirlwinds  of  flame,  or  the  pestilences  that 
filled  so  many  wayside  graves,  and  not  always 
with  the  dead.  She  was  an  eye-witness  of  these 
woes,  and  what  wonder  is  it  if  her  memoirs  at 
times  lack  regularity. 

We  cannot  close  this  chapter,  however,  with- 
out referring  to  the  celebrated  recluse,  Jane  Leber. 
This  illustrious  solitary  had  no  sooner  known  Sis- 
ter Bourgeois  and  her  community,  than  she  be- 
came devotedly  attached  to  them,  not  only  by 
a  conformity  of  virtues,  but  also  by  their  mutual 
devotion  to  the  ever  Blessed  Mother  of  God. 
Yet  she  did  not  become  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregation, the  Lord  wishing  to  attach  her  to 
Himself  in  another  way  for  His  own  glory.  While 
awaiting  some  manifestation  of  the  divine  will, 
this  holy  girl  avoided  all  exterior  communication 
with  the  world,  her  only  visits  being  those  she 
made  to  the  Sisters,  by  whose  singular  virtues 
she  was  much  edified.  Sister  Bourgeois  always 
received  her  with  pleasure,  in  order  to  inspire 
her  with  a  desire  of  greater  perfection.  During 
their  interviews,  these  two  children  of  grace  con- 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS, 


157 


by 
lutual 
God. 
Con- 
ler  to 
^hile 
will, 
ition 
she 
Irtucs 
\vays 
Ispirc 
iring 
1  con- 


ceived a  lasting  esteem  and  friendship  for  each 
other,  from  which  Almighty  God  afterwards  re- 
ceived great  glory,  and  the  Congregation  great 
advantage,  as  we  shall  relate. 

Jane  Leber  had  renounced  even  the  most  in- 
nocent amusements  after  the  death  of  a  beloved 
friend,  Marie  Charly,  who  died  in  Montreal.  The 
pious  girl  was  so  sincerely  attached  to  the  holy 
deceased,  that  the  world  had  then  no  more 
charms  for  her,  and  she  thought  only  of  imitat- 
ing the  virtues  of  her  friend,  or  of  surpassing 
them  if  she  could.  Accordingly  she  devoted 
herself  to  prayer,  and  the  contemplation  of  the 
attributes  of  God,  so  perfectly  that  she  re- 
nounced all  intercourse  with  the  world,  with  her 
nearest  relations,  and  even  with  the  immediate 
members  of  her  family,  and  took  the  extraordin- 
ary resolution  of  condemning  herself  to  perpetual 
solitiulc,  which  she  had  already  observed  for  a 
long  time  in  her  father's  house,  and  which  was 
only  to  terminate  ivith  her  life  in  the  house  of  the 
Congregation.  This,  indeed,  was  one  of  the  won- 
derful effects  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which  it  is  not 
permitted  man  to  fathom. 

r^      aave  seen  that  in  the  Sisters'  residence  at 
t'arie,  there  was  no  domestic  church,  and 
\at     ister  Bourgeois'  limited  means  did  not  per- 
aiit  her  to  build  one,  a  circumstance  she  sincerely 
regretted.     \^   1692,  however,  she  thought  seri- 
ously of  taki       the  necessary  steps  to  procure 


I  5  8     VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO  URGEOIS. 

such  a  chapel,  and  the  project  w^''^  soon  executed. 
It  even  paved  the  way  for  the  erection  of  schools, 
and  brought  with  it  several  other  advantages  to 
the  Congregation.  Jane  Leber  no  sooner  heard 
that  the  Sisters  intended  to  build  a  chapel  in 
honor  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  than  she  determined 
to  fix  her  abode  for  life  in  their  house.  She  was 
very  rich,  and  proposed  to  pay  nearly  all  the  ex- 
penses of  the  edifice,  on  condition  that  they 
would  reserve  for  her  use  a  room  near  the  sanc- 
tuary, where  she  might  end  her  days,  with  the 
Blessed  Sacrament  always  in  view,  which  request 
was  graciously  acceded  to.  Sister  Bourgeois  being 
the  first  who  made  the  concession,  and  after- 
wards signed  the  contract,  dated  August  4th,  1695, 
during  the  superiority  of  Sister  Assumption.  It 
was  the  holy  Foundress  who  secured  this  ac- 
quisition, and  who  retained,  in  spite  of  herself, 
the  greatest  influence  in  the  government  of  the 
Congregation.  It  was  during  Jane's  total  seclu- 
sion, and  also  during  the  life  of  Sister  Bourgeois, 
that  the  pious  recluse  issued  written  orders  for 
the  decoration  of  the  church,  for  the  procuring 
of  costly  vases  and  other  sacred  ornaments,  and 
it  was  owing  to  her  great  liberality  that  all 
things  were  in  readiness  for  the  celebration  of 
holy  Mass,  on  the  Feast  of  the  Nativity  of  the 
Blessed  Virgin,  September  8th,  1695.  This  ex- 
traordinary woman  rejoiced  in  the  beauty  and 
glory  of  the  house  of  God,  and  only  closed  1  er 


m 


WOIS. 

executed, 
f  schools, 
ntages  to 
ner  heard 
:hapel  in 
;termined 
She  was 
11  the  ex- 
hat  ihey 
the  sanc- 
with  the 
1  request 
ois  being 

id  after- 
^th,  1695, 
tion.     It 
this  ac- 
herself, 
it  of  the 
al  seclu- 
mrgeois, 
ders  for 
rocuring 
nts,  and 
that   all 
ition  of 
/  of  the 
rhis  ex- 
ity  and 
sed  I  er 


splendors  o'f   the   new  Je  Lafer  ^''.°"  '''^ 
wonderfully  by  St   Fohn       !u     f '   ''""ibed  so 

the  day  folfowLg "i  tl        1p°«'>'P--    On 
her  seclusion   for  hi      ^  ^^'''^"'"'""Suratcd 
founding  the  perpetual  t'  ^^^"   '^''-^^'ons   for 
Sacrament,  as  it  isltu°'"''°''  °'  *''^  blessed 
nation,  and  after  tLde^^^T^l^  I"  ''''  C°"'^^- 
donated  the  necessarv  f  V  .^' ^"""^''"^^  =he 
boarding.schools  accL  "     /  '°[  '^^building  the 
ter  Bourgeois  h  d  eTp  ' Lid  ?  T  "''"  '"^'  S^ 
'^"■u'^d  the  new  institudon      i°    '"■   ^^'  ^'^°  '"■ 
and  founded  in  perne  °",  '"?'  --oyal  munificence, 
which  has  never  ceaS  toV       ^''"~'>-W 
^'■nce  her  time      In        *° '^^  ^-"""^"y  celebrated 
bestowed  benefits  on  T  '"°"^'  '^'  ""^^^^inji-'y 
It  may  not  be  out  ,f    ^    ^"'""'•ty  °f  her  lotc 
fewof  themanvl    •''    ''  ^"'  '°  enumerate  a 

Foundress      In\er'°"r  "'""'"''^'^  "^^  '''^  holy 
f°"owing  names  :^:;r'^;,-''r-  ^"^  th^e 

'"^'e  of  Orleans,  Quebec  Cy,/  ""l^^"  '"  '^'^ 
aux-Trembles  l' We  r"'  ,°^f  ^^"""^her,  Pointe- 
and  Bouchervil  e  ^   '  ^^^'"P'^'".  La  Prairie, 


•i:,i- 


^1 

i 

t : 


'1 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  PRIVATE  AND    SOCIAL   VIRTUES  OF   SISTER 

BOURGEOIS. 

After  what  has  been  already  related,  it  might 
appear  that  the  labors  of  Sister  Bourgeois  were 
happily  ended  by  the  establishment  of  her  Con- 
gregation. She  had  a  flourishing  institute  at  Mon- 
treal, and  a  fervent  and  numerous  community, 
that  was  well  prepared  to  meet  the  future  exigen- 
cies of  the  diocese,  and  to  supply  new  missions 
(when  such  were  needed)  with  holy  and  capa- 
ble subjects.  It  is  true  there  was  still  no  prop- 
erly authorized  or  approved  rule,  but  she  had 
the  necessary  formulas,  which  were  strictly  ob- 
served, while  expecting  the  time  appointed  by 
Divine  Providence  for  ecclesiastical  approbation, 
and  she  felt  interiorly  assured  that  this  would 
come.  She  had  given  her  daughters  an  example 
of  the  most  heroic  virtues,  most  of  her  actions 
being  really  of  the  heroic  order,  and  such  as 
might  have  been  expected  from  a  daughter  of 
predestination.  In  every  sense  of  the  word,  she 
had  a  truly  great  soul.     In  the  routine  of  daily 

l6o 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS.    l6l 


'    SISTER 

it  might 
:ois  were 
her  Con- 
i  at  Mon- 
nmunity, 
z  exigen- 
missions 
nd  capa- 
no  prop- 
she    had 
ictly  ob- 
inted  by 
obation, 
is  would 
[example 
actions 
such  as 
ghter  of 
ord,  she 
of  daily 


life,  she  was  to  her  Sisters  a  perfect  model.  She 
gave  them  frequently  instructions  suitable  to  their 
strength,  and  proper  to  excite  their  zeal  and 
fervor  in  the  duty  of  a  covwiunity  life  to  which 
they  aspired.  We  will  now  see,  or  rather  admire, 
her  extraordinary  love  of  suffering,  which  very 
few  could  imitate. 

The  Lord  gives  a  cross  to  every  one  of  us.  He 
spares  none  of  His  servants,  and  she  had  crosses 
of  all  sorts  to  endure,  interiorly  and  exteriorly 
suffering  the  most  intense  pain  of  body  and  mind. 
The  former  she  often  inflicted  on  herself,  the 
latter  was  appointed  by  Divine  Providence,  and 
of  each  she  had  a  larger  share  than  falls  to  the 
common  lot.  Without  referring  again  to  the 
long  and  painful  voyages  she  undertook  for  the 
glory  of  God,  or  to  the  penitential  and  mortified 
life  of  which  she  made  profession,  it  is  well 
known  that,  like  the  Apostle,  she  constantly  en- 
dured in  soul  and  body  the  sufferings  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Her  food  was  always  of  the  coarsest 
kind,  and  she  selected  invariably  for  herself 
whatever  was  disagreeable  to  the  taste.  In  the 
matter  of  eating-  she  absolutely  destroyed  sen- 
suality, either  by  using  her  food  too  hot  or  too 
cold,  or  spoiling  its  flavor  by  pouring  water  on 
it,  or  mixing  it  with  ashes,  or  a  certain  bitter 
powder,  with  which  she  always  kept  herself  sup- 
plied. She  ate  little,  and  drank  less,  using  water 
but  once  a  day,  and  never  in  sufficient  quantity 


m 


162     VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

to  allay  her  thirst,  even  in  the  hottest  weather. 
She  even  managed  to  sit  at  her  meals  in  a  pain- 
ful and  mortified  position,  being  careful  to  pass 
every  moment  of  her  life  in  the  practice  of  mor- 
tification. She  usually  prayed  prostrate  on  the 
ground.  Her  ordinary  bed  was  the  floor,  with  a 
block  of  wood  for  her  pillow.  She  regarded  it  as 
a  criminal  indulgence,  if  sickness  obliged  her  to 
use  a  mattrass  or  straw  pillow.  Her  sleep  was 
short  and  broken,  as  she  rose  usually  about  mid- 
night to  pray  for  at  least  two  hours,  and  during 
the  intense  cold  of  the  most  severe  Canadian 
winters  she  never  omitted  this  practice.  She 
seemed  to  be  insensible  to  the  biting  frost,  as  she 
never  approached  the  fire  in  the  cold  season, 
and  endured  the  inconveniences  of  the  other 
seasons  with  the  same  indifference  to  bodily  com- 
fort. She  scourged  her  body  with  rude  discip- 
lines, and  one  cannot  describe  without  a  sensa- 
tion of  horror,  the  cap,  bristling  with  sharp  points, 
that  she  wore  secretly  on  her  head  night  and 
day.  The  Sisters  once  accidentally  saw  this  in- 
strument of  torture,  and  begged  her  to  discon- 
tinue its  use,  but  she  smilingly  told  them,  it 
caused  her  no  more  pain  than  a  feather  pillow 
should. 

On  another  occasion,  having  l  en  implored  by 
the  Sisters  to  moderate  the  rigor  of  her  austeri- 
ties, in  order  to  prolong  her  life  for  the  sake  of  I  Du 
the  community,  she  answered  them  by  an  in-|  she 


were  her  words  that  thi  Q-       '  ^""^  '°  P^"'«'c 
^esfretoi^itatrhtUtp?"^  '""''' ''^''  ^ 

-as  ..,.„,,  mortificat'onwe't' but ";"'''  ^° 
Used  2«/^„;,^  mortification  ^''^  P«<^- 

before.     That  is  she  Ca^tTct"'"''^  '^*■' 
her  senses,  thwarted  morff  ^"^''''  °^^^ 

■nclinations,  and  endTavo,  hT"''^  ''^■"  "•''^"'•«' 
her  power  to  keep  herse^r  >  ^  "^''^  ""^^"^  '" 
of  God.     But  asl  he   d  ?/  '"  "'^  P^^=«"-e 

°^  these  penitenL^ex t-sL'^^P^'^^  ""'''  '^'^ 
more  terrible  trial  th,         '^'^^^'    "^   sent   her  a 

I"  the  year  S  ^  T/f''  V'  >'^'  ^d"-'' 
qu'-llity  ,^th  which  It  f  ""-^'"""^  °f  "'^  t«n- 
of  DiWne  Providence  nT'"'  '"  '"^  ^— ^ 
that  seemed  to  multLv  if  '""^'  °'  ^^°-^'^ 
''^  to  understand  iy'^h'etl^H":'  ''^^'  ^^^ 
another,  that  she  was  in  a  st.:'^  ^'■''■°"''  °f 
and  at  enmity  with  God      Tu  °^  damnation, 

■■ather  this  frightful  idea   l.T  """^"^  ^°"^''  °' 
^'°n  on  her,  that  during  'four      '"''  ^"  '''"P'--- 
fWe  to  banish  it  from   h°     •^^^'''  -"he  was  not 
however,  less   troubled   at  I^k™'''^''"""'""'  heinff, 
the  pains  of  hell,  than  at  th  '  !  ^PP'-^hension  of 


164 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


longer  consoled  her,  and  her  penances,  though 
she  felt  a  secret  horror  for  them.  Yet  she  blindly 
submitted  to  the  guidance  of  her  director,  for 
whom,  however,  she  felt  more  aversion  than  coti- 
Jidcncc.  Nothing  consoled  her.  She  had  to  be 
compelled  to  receive  Holy  Communion,  of  which 
she  believed  herself  unworthy,  and  from  which 
she  abstained  for  a  considerable  time.  Only 
those  who  have  passed  through  a  similar  ordeal 
can  judge  of  her  state  of  mind  at  that  time,  or 
form  any  idea  of  what  she  suffered.  But  in  order 
to  be  more  explanatory,  it  will  again  be  necessary 
to  refer  to  the  Memoirs. 

As  has  been  already  stated,  on  her  second  re- 
turn from  France  she  found  herself  surrounded 
by  more  than  forty  aspirants  to  the  religious 
state,  who  led  most  humble  and  penitential  lives 
yet  though  all  were  very  fervent,  all  were  not 
equally  strong,  either  in  body  or  mind,  and  the  Sis 
health  of  many  among  them  visibly  declined,  so  ref 
that  it  became  necessary  to  set  bounds  to  theii  ma 
austerities,  especially  as  they  were  not  yet  undei  of 
the  guidance  of  an  approved  rule,  which  of  its  wri 
own  nature  would  have  prevented  indiscreet  exltim 
cesses.  A  mitigation  of  penitential  practices  wamnd 
therefore  openly  and  undisguisedly  advocatedjo  t 
but  Sister  Bourgeois,  all  charitable  and  submisl  1 
sive  as  she  was,  did  not  relish  these  suggestionBiev 
— fearing  that  a  door  would  he  opened  to  relaxAos' 
tion.     She  had  already  reproached  herself  bitBhal 


t( 
b 
nr 
si 

tl 
hi 


sa 
fir 
th 

of 

wa 

as 

wil 

pre 

for 


KGEOIS. 

ces,  though 
she  blindly 
director,  for 
ion  than  con- 
le  had  to  be 
on,  of  which 
from  which 
Lime.      Only 
imilar  ordeal 
that  time,  or 
But  in  order 
be  necessary 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  POi'RGEO/S.    165 

terly  for  the  consent  reluctantly  given  to  the 
building  of  the  first  large  house  for  the  com- 
munity, and,  notwithstanding  the  lapse  of  years, 
she  still  regarded  its  erection  as  contrary  to  the 
spirit  of  poverty,  humility,  and  mortification 
they  would  have  preserved  in  the  stable  which 
had  been  the  cradle  of  the  Congregation. 

"The  grand  building  brought  in  its  train,"  she 
said,  "  drapery  and  mattresses — delicate  food  and 
fine  furniture — and  so  many  other  fine  things 
that  there  was  no  room  left  for  holy  poverty." 

Her  apprehensions  for  the  future  were  a  species 
of  martyrdom  to  her,  and  a  difference  of  opinion 
was  the  commencement  of  all  her  mental  anguish, 
as  after  that  period  we  find  her  Memoirs  filled 
with  painful  reflections.  In  1677  ^  young  person 
presented  herself  for  admission,  who  was  unfit 
for  any  duties  except  out-door  employment,  and 
Sister  Bourgeois  refused  to  receive  her.  The 
refusal,  however,  was  contrary  to  the  desire  of 
many  of  the  Sisters,  although  it  was  approved 
f  by  ecclesiastical  superiors.  The  Foundress, 
riting  of  the  circumstance,  says :  "  From  that 
ime  I  think  the  Sisters  lost  confidence  in  me, 
nd  I  lost  the  liberty  of  speaking  of  such  matters 
0  them." 

This  was  a  sad  position  for  a  superior  who  be- 
ieved  God's  work  would  suffer  by  a  real  or  sup- 
osed  lack  of  confidence.  It  will  be  remembered 
hat  she  was  engaged  for  two  entire  years  in  the 


I 


1 1 


I  ^5    VENHRARIM  SIS  TRR  MARC,  A  RET  HOURGI-OIS. 

task  of  procuring  new  subjects,  toc^cther  with  the 
letters  patent  for  the  institute,  and  during  that 
time  the  signal  favors  she  received  from  both 
God  and  man  gave  her  much  consolation.  But 
no  sooner  had  she  returned  to  Ville-Marie  than 
she  was  rephmgcd  into  sorrowful  embarrassments, 
?is  she  noticed  that  what  seejned  to  her  to  be  re- 
laxations had  crept  in.  She  attributed  the  fire 
of  1683,  and  the  deaths  of  her  two  best  subjects 
on  that  occasion,  to  her  own  sins,  and  overwhelmed 
with  these  ideas,  her  life  became  a  sad  and  pen- 
sive one. 

3he  was   also   firmly   persuaded  (in  her   deep 
humility)  that  she  was   unworthy  and   incapable 
of  governing  the   rising    Congregation.     So  per- 
suaded was  she  of  it,  that  she   frequently  asked 
the  Sisters  to  accept  her  resignation,  but  as  they 
justly  attributed  her  request  to  an  over-scrupu- 
lous conscience,  they  refused  to  acquiesce.     She 
then    reproached    herself    with    infidelity   to  her 
vocation  in  seeking  to  be  released  from  the  bur- 
den   of   superiority,  as  she  had   often   promised  ■ 
Almighty  God  that,  come  what  would,  she  should  j 
never    abandon     His    work.       Sometimes    pride 
\\'hispered  that  s1ie  was  quite  useful  in  tlie  posi-j 
tion  she  occupied.     At  other  times  she  felt  con- 1 
vinced  that  others  could  discharge  the  duty  bet- 1 
ter.      Always    disquieted,    always    agitated,    she! 
knew  not  what  to  do.     In   this  state   of  desola-j 
tion,   she  lost  confidence  in  her  directors,  who,! 


ii!: 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


167 


she  supposed,  did  not  understand  her.  The  only 
consolation  she  experienced  was  an  absolute 
submission  to  the  orders  of  Divine  Providence, 
and  a  firm  confidence  that  God  would  at  last 
arrange  all  things  well  for  His  greater  glory. 
And  so  things  were  arranged,  indeed,  but  in 
such  a  manner  that  this  spouse  of  the  Crucified 
had  to  drink  to  the  dregs  the  saving  chalice  of 
affliction,  and  taste  in  her  inmost  soul  all  its 
bitterness. 

She  had  now  labored  for  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury in  the  exercise  of  all  sorts  of  good  works. 
Her  body  was  lacerated  by  the  rudest  austerities. 
She  was  a  martyr  to  mental  anxiety,  and  had 
but  one  beacon-light  during  her  long  spiritual 
darkness,  viz.,  the  certainty  that  she  loved  God 
and  was  loved  by  Him.  Nevertheless  her  chalice 
was  not  yet  full.  In  1689,  on  the  night  of  Novem- 
ber 3d,  one  of  the  Sisters  remained  up  long  after 
the  others  had  retired  to  rest.  Suddenly  a  Sister 
who  had  died  about  sixteen  months  before  stood 
before  her  (as  she  affirmed),  and  said  slowly  and 
distinctly,  "  I  am  sent  by  God  to  warn  the  super- 
ior  of  this  Congregation  that  she  is  in  mortal 
sin,"  naming  at  the  same  time  the  person  who 
was  the  cause  of  her  guilt.  The  astonished  list- 
ener  related  the  apparition  to  Sister  Bourgeois, 
who  regarded  it  as  the  wanderings  of  a  diseased 
imagination.  But  two  months  nfter.  January  3d, 
1690,  the  deceased  again  appearing  to  the  same 


I; 


l68    yBNERABLE  SIHTLK  MAKUAHL.I  hULKuLUIH. 

Sister,  said,  "  The  superior  has  not  done  what 
she  ought  to  do;  it  is  the  last  warning  I  can  give 
her,  for  I  am  now  going  to  Paradise,"  and  so  'lay- 
ing, disappeared.  The  vihionary  (for  as  such 
only  should  she  be  regarded)  went  again  to  in- 
form the  Foundress  of  what  had  transpired,  and 
at  this  second  blow  the  poor  superior  succumbed, 
appearing  to  be  indeed  stricken  by  the  anger  of 
God.  It  seems  strange  that  her  strong  mind 
could  be  deceived,  even  for  a  season.  Perhaps 
her  great  age  made  her  more  susceptible  to  the 
influence  of  an  asserted  vision,  than  she  would 
have  been  at  an  earlier  period  of  life.  To  de- 
clare that  she  was  at  enmity  with  God,  was  to 
inflict  a  grievous  wound  on  her  heart,  and  this 
warning  reduced  her  almost  to  a  state  of  despair. 
She  felt  that  she  was  a  reproach  among  her  Sis- 
ters. She  dared  not  speak  to  them,  and  hardly 
raised  her  eyes  before  them.  The  Sacraments 
she  regarded  with  extreme  repugnance,  believing 
that  they  had  hitherto  been  useless  to  her,  and 
that  her  receiving  them  now  would  be  profana- 
tion. It  happened,  however,  by  the  dispensa- 
tion of  God,  that  her  director  was  a  wise  and 
skilful  ascetic,  who  narrowly  watched  the  opera- 
tions of  grace  in  her  soul,  and  treated  her  accord- 
ingly, and  as  she  blindly  followed  his  directions 
during  the  time  of  trial,  she  daily  sanctified  her- 
self more  and  more. 

It  was  at  this  precise  period  that  M.  de  St. 


[Q  what 
can  give 
d  so  *^ay- 
as   such 
in  to  in- 
ired,  and 
ccumbcd, 
anger  of 
)ng   mind 
Tcrbaps 
)lc  to  the 
she  would 
2.     To  de- 
ed, was  to 
,  and  this 
f  despair, 
g  her  Sis- 
nd  hardly 
acraments 
1,  believing 
her,  and 
profana- 
dispensa- 
wise  and 
|he  opera- 
ler  accord- 
jdirections 
itified  her- 

M.  de  St. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


169 


Vallier  came  to  Montreal  for  the  first  time,  and 
the  humblt  Sister  frankly  acquainted  him  with 
her  state  of  mind  and  its  consequences,  asking 
him  very  earnestly  to  appoint  another  Sister  in 
her  place,  in  order  that  things  might  work  well 
and  confidence  be  restored.  However,  the  Bishop 
did  not  consent  to  her  resignation  then,  hoping 
that  her  pain  of  mind  would  soon  disappear.  But 
on  his  return  to  Montreal,  in  1693,  he  found  mat- 
ters still  in  the  same  state,  and  consented  to  a 
first  election  in  the  Congregation,  presiding  on 
the  occasion  himself.  Sister  Marie  Barbier  of  the 
Assumption  was  elected  superior,  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  whole  community,  and  above  all  of 
Sister  Bourgeios  herself,  who,  being  at  last  re- 
lieved of  the  responsibilities  of  superior,  hoped 
soon  to  regain  her  long-lost  peace  of  mind,  and 
so  it  happened.  For  in  January  of  the  next 
year,  1694,  being  just  four  years  from  the  time 
she  was  first  warned  of  her  eternal  damnation, 
she  felt  a  distinct  conviction  in  her  soul  that  she 
was  fully  reconciled  with  God.  And  all  her  pain 
of  mind  disappeared.  This  interior  light,  how- 
ever, only  determined  her  to  labor  still  more  ear- 
nestly for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  maintenance 
of  regular  observances.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
council  of  the  new  superior,  but  the  honor  of  the 
position  caused  her  much  disquiet,  as  she  never 
ceased  to  assert  that  it  was  on  account  of  her 
sins   the   former   austerities   of   the   house   had 


'»■<■•• 


I70 


VllNHRABLh  SlUrER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


partly  fallen  into  disuse.  The  change  of  supe- 
riors had  not  in  the  least  diminished  the  esteem 
of  the  Sisters  foi  her^  who  had  been  so  long  their 
faithful  mother  in  God,  and  they  omitted  no 
opportunity  of  testifying  their  esteem,  which  af- 
fectionate attention  was  doubtless  agreeable  to 
her  kind  heart.  In  order  to  tranquilize  her 
mind,  and  on  account  of  her  great  age,  they 
judged  it  expedient  to  dispense  her  from  attend- 
ing at  the  public  exercises  of  the  community, 
leaving  the  infirmary  entirely  at  her  disposal, 
where  she  might  occupy  herself  with  some  light 
work,  as  much  for  recreation  as  employment. 
She  obeyed  without  reply,  and  it  may  not  be  un- 
interesting to  hear  what  she  thought  of  her 
exile,  as  she  called  it.     The  Memoir  says : 

"  Although  charged,  conjointly  with  my  Sis- 
ters, to  watch  over  the  welfare  of  the  house,  I 
knew  nothing  of  what  passed  in  it.  For  four 
years  I  occupied  myself  with  a  little  sewing,  re- 
maining all  the  time  in  the  infirmary.  I  slept 
there,  took  my  meals  there,  on  account  of  my 
great  age,  they  said,  and  that  I  might  be  a  com- 
panion for  Sister  Crolo,  who  could  no  longer  go 
to  the  refectory.  I  held  no  conversation  with 
the  Sisters,  very  rarely  went  to  our  chapel,  as 
we  of  the  infirmary  could  easily  hear  Mass  from 
our  apartment,  it  being  so  constructed  as  to  open 
directly  fronting  the  altar.  Yet  my  former  dis- 
quiet returned,  and  I  knew  not  what  to  deter- 


s. 


VKNERAPU-:  SISTHK  MAKCARI-T  BOURGEOfS.   j  7 1 


supe- 
istccm 
nr  their 
;cd    no 
ich  af- 
ible  to 
ze    her 
;,  they 
attend- 
Tiunity, 
isposal, 
le  light 
3yment. 
t  be  un- 

of   her 

ly  Sis- 
[louse,  I 
or  four 
infj,  re- 


tnine  on,  because  I  could  not  divest   myself  of 
the   idea   that   God    required  greater  perfection 
from  the  community  than  I  saw  practised  in  it. 
It  is  true  they  tried  to  console  me  by  asserting 
that  all  was  well,  and  that  I  might  set  my  mind 
at  rest.     I  answered  them  nothing,  but  I  could 
not  conceal     from    myself    that    relaxation    ex- 
isted, and  that  I  was  the  cause  of  it.     I  suffered 
more  in     this    perplexity   of    mind    than    1    can 
ever    explain."     She    sighed    sadly   during    her 
stay  in    the    infirmary,  until  it    pleased   God    to 
let  peace  again  dawn  upon  her  soul,  by  impart- 
ing to  her  a  spirit  of  sensible  and  tender  devo- 
tion, and  by  permitting  her  to  return  to  the  ordi- 
nary way  in    living   in  her  institute  during   the 
few  remaining  years  of  her  life.     On  the  night  of 
July  5th,  1697,  as  she  was  meditating  on  the  means 
of  repairing  the  faults  of  which  she  believed  her- 
self guilty,  a  tJionght,  as  distinct  as  a  voice,  told 
her  she  was  the  Jonas  of  the  Congregation,  and 
that  like  him,  she  deserved  to  be  cast  into  the 
•  sea.     To  this  interior  voice  she  could  only  reply 
that   she  was  willing  to  do  all  in  her  power  to 
contribute  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  do  his  will. 
Then  the  strange  inspiration  ceased,  but  on  the 
following  night  it    returned    more   strongly  and 
vividly  than  at  first,  making  her  understand,  like 
Samuel  in  the  temple,  th-.t  God  had  spoken;  that  it 
was  time  to  renounce  the  ideal  perfection  which 
tormentrjd  her,  and    that    a  blind  obedience   to 


172 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


her  directors  was  her  only  remedy.  She  there- 
fore opened  her  heart  to  the  confessor  of  the 
community,  M.  de  Valens,  and  also  to  M.  Caillen, 
pastor  of  Ville- Marie,  who  decided  on  sending 
her  to  her  superior,  there  to  disclose  all  the  anx- 
ious thoughts  that  agitated  her  soul,  and  speak 
of  whatever  she  conceived  to  be  for  the  welfare 
of  the  Congregation.  The  docile  Sister  did  as 
directed,  and  in  order  to  give  her  useful  and 
practical  occupation,  the  superior  told  her  lo 
write  what  the  Holy  Spirit  would  inspire  for  the 
guidance  of  the  institute  she  had  so  happily 
founded.  These  pre»-ious  manuscripts  are  re- 
plete with  lessons  of  divine  wisdom,  and  it  is 
from  their  pages  her  children  still  select  Lhe 
beautiful  instructions  and  maxims  that  keep  her 
spirit  alive  among  them.  Her  heart  being  thus 
freed  from  its  silent  agony,  she  found  herself  nt 
last  completely  delivered  from  the  torture  she 
had  so  long  endured,  her  only  desire  for  the 
three  remaining  years  of  her  life  being  to  exhibit 
a  model  of  the  social  and  community  virtues  she 
had  taught  to  others  for  more  than  50  years.  Nor 
was  it  only  at  this  late  period  of  her  life  she  had 
resolved  to  resign  the  oflfice  of  superior,  for  in 
1680,  before  making  her  third  voyage  to  France 
to  procure  rules  for  her  institute,  she  had  earn- 
estly and  tearfully  asked  the  Sisters  to  elect  an- 
other in  lier  place,  alleging  her  unfitness  and  un- 
ivorthiness.      What  must  have  been  herastonish- 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,    j  >j% 


lere- 
i  the 
illen, 
ing 


anx- 
speak 
elfare 
lid  as 
il  and 
tier  to 
or  the 
appily 
ire   re- 
d  it  is 
ct    Ihe 
ep  her 
g  thus 
self  nt 
re   she 
or   the 
xhibii 
es  she 
s.  Nor 
e  had 
for  in 
IFrance 
earn- 
ct  an- 
Ind  un- 
tonish- 


ment,  to  hear  all  exclaim  as  with  one  voice  and 
without  a  moment's  hesitation,  that  they  had 
chosen  the  MoiJicr  of  God  for  their  superior,  and 
Fou?idress;  that  they  shovild  ever  regard  her  as 
their  first  Mother  in  time  and  in  eternity,  but 
begged  Sister  Bourgeois  to  continue  her  govern- 
ment under  the  protection  of  their  common 
Mother,  to  whose  love  and  service  she  and  they 
were  alike  pledged.  In  consequence  of  this  un- 
animous choice,  the  holy  Foundress,  prostrating 
herself  with  the  whole  community  before  the 
statue  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  addressed  to  her 
impromptu,  the  following  prayer: — 

"  O  holy  Virgin,  behold  this  little  band  of  your 
servants,  who  have  consecrated  themselves  to  the 
service  of  God  under  your  protection,  who  wish  to 
follow  your  example,  as  good  children  follow  their 
earthly  mother's,  and  who  regard  you  as  their 
cherished  Foundress,  and  first  Superior.  We  liope 
that  the  good  God  agrees  with  our  election, 
and  gives  you  the  absolute  government  of  this 
Congrec^ation,  which  is  your  work.  We  have 
nothing  to  present  to  God,  but  we  hope  through 
your  means,  to  obtain  all  tbr  rrraces  necessary  for 
our  salvation  and  the  perfection  of  our  state, 
You  knew  best  what  is  necessary  for  us,  and 
what  we  now  ask  i-^.that  you  will  never  refuse  us 
your  assistance  Help  us  by  your  all  powerful  in- 
tercession to  rrceiv'o  the  licfht  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
that  we  may  be  enabled  to  labor  efficaciously  for 


174 


VENERABLE  iHHTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS, 


ni'ii 


the  education  and  reli^'ious  instruction  of  our 
pupils,  according  to  our  profession.  But  above 
all  things  we  ask.  dear  Lady  and  Mother,  that 
our  successors  and  those  who  contribute  to  their 
spiritual  advancement,  may  be  of  the  number  of 
the  elect,  so  that  in  your  glorious  society  we 
may  all  praise  our  good  God  during  a  happy 
eternity."  It  was  therefore  the  Blessed  Virgin 
who  was  elected  first  vSuperiorof  the  Congregation. 
What  a  grand  motive  of  Faith  this  afforded  to  the 
succeeding  superiors,  who,  believing  that  they 
held  the  place  of  Mary  herself,  were  all  the  more 
strictly  bound  to  advance  the  spiritual  perfection 
of  their  subjects,  especially  in  the  practice  of  h(^ly 
obedience.  It  was  only  on  tJiis  condition  that 
Sister  Bourgeois  consented  to  the  desire  of  her 
daughters,  that  she  should  continue  to  govern 
them  as  assistant,  their  and  her  principal  supe- 
rior being  the  queen  of  Heaven.  However,  when 
she  returned  from  France  in  1684,  as  before  state.d, 
she  again  solicited  the  Sisters  to  elect  a  new 
superior,  and  so  eager  was  her  desire  that  the 
Community  held  one  chapter  for  the  purpose,  in 
which  nothing  was  decided,  the  suffrages  being 
equally  divided  between  two  candidates,  who 
were  each  remarkable  for  the  most  sublime  virtue. 
That  same  night,  while  the  matter  was  still 
pending,  the  fire  broke  out,  and  both  Sisters 
perished  in  the  flames.  Seven  years  later,  the 
Foundress  brought  up  the  matter  again,  as  there 


■^    ,:'  ■;■  K£>  ■' 


}EOIS, 

n  of  our 

^ut  above 
ther,  that 
:e  to  their 
lumber  of 
ociety  we 

a  happy 
cd  Virgin 
grcgation. 
dec!  to  the 
that  they 
i  the  more 
perfection 
ice  of  holy 
iition  tliat 
sire  of  her 
:o  govern 
ipal  supe- 
:ver,  when 
5re  statejd, 
ct   a  new 

that  the 
urpose,  in 
ges  being 
ites,  who 
ne  virtue, 
was  still 
h  Sisters 
later,  the 
,  as  there 


Sob:;  zt:'L;"ji-,  r,  ^"^  -••^■^■•->  - 

^"t'-es  of  Superior  This  i:''''^  '"  ''■^'-■''■•'^S'  'I"-' 
-e  or  the  first  m  „Ss  a, u,  tf '■'''""^'  ^^•'■•"-^- 
t--'"   years    before    com;  "','"'"" '^''""''"' 

"TlKWro,yK,,„i..~--     t'-e    mission   of 

I;,"'  as  she  was  then',1,  at  (uebec  h;""  '''"''"''' 
directed    her   to  return    >  ,' "'^  """""nfty 

'>-l'i.  would  soon  be  re  Am'  Z""'^'"^'   ''''"  '-r 
--I'l   then  fi,,,,^";.'^'''''-:^''^'^.-''' that  she 

Sl.e  returned  promptlvl  ;'"  T^''^''  ''''  ''<^'•• 
^'■^-".and  w^-nttofece^  ;f  '"  ^-'>""^-on- 
^bedience  .„d  pi„n?,,h  '/'"-'   '•"^■-■•J  of   her 

''""--pcctedu"    .ir,^'r^^^-     «>' 
second  time  upset      r   tl  ''    •"'■'"-■*    ''-^^^    a 

^-^'-  they  are  at  t^ CyT"":  ''  ■^""--■ 
next  two  years,  the   S  ster"^      T^'"-     ^"^  ^''e 
f'lom  commenting  on  t  e  e  l'"    ""^  '^''^''""^ 
;^-'-,  bourgeois,  but         h,d     "^^  •=^^"^-'  '''^f-- 
from  her  importunities  Iw      "°  "^'^'''°f  ^'e-^'stin;. 
■•'?'-•■"  assembled  the  comm-'"  ^'^P^^'^ber,  ,695 

-'-^i-'ofaneSn     •,7"'''^^'"--pS 
obtamed    .he  consent  of  M     i      "^   Previously 

(•"b'ielyresigned  her  office  J^'th      '"  ''''''"'  ^^'^ 
^y   fhe   constitutions  a  tVo^'T"'"=^^<^'J"'>ed 

y-  canonically  appro;ed  tdtad':^^.^^^^   "°^ 
Clear  voice,  the  following       I  ""'''  ^  '"ronK 

'■  There  is  no  ,  „7e?lr;rK'^'^'"'^^ 

^      ^"y  doubt   that   J   am  , 


176 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


m 


great  sinner,  who  has  not  been  faithful  to  the 
sacred  duty  so  lovingly  confided  to  nie.  I  deserve 
the  pain  of  mind  I  suffer,  because  my  criminal 
relaxations  have  extended  even  to  you.  I  humbly 
ask  your  pardon,  and  beg  the  succor  of  your 
prayers.  Remedy  this  state  of  things  now,  as 
much  as  may  be,  by  changing  the  superior,  and 
let  her,  whoever  she  may  be,  see  that  even  the 
least  rules  are  carefully  observed,  otherwise  the 
members  of  the  community  will  be  no  better 
than  seculars  leading  Christian  lives.  Renew, 
then,  in  yourselves  the  spirit  that  you  ought  to 
have,  that  is,  poverty,  humility,  obedience,  and 
an  entire  abandonment  of  yourselves  into  the 
hands  of  God."  It  has  been  related  already  that 
Sister  Assumption  was  elected  superior  in  her 
stead.  So  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  revert  again 
to  the  fact.  It  was  by  direction  of  this  superior 
the  Foundress  wrote  the  beautiful  instructions 
and  maxims  that  have  always  been  regarded  as 
the  richest  inheritance  of  her  spiritual  children. 
Yet  some  of  her  instructions  were  not  suited  to 
every  grade  of  intellect,  the  perfection  they  in- 
culcated being  so  sublime  that  a  few  were 
frightened,  and  as  timid  and  indiscreet  souls  are 
to  be  found  everywhere,  there  was  one  in  the 
young  Congregation,  who  dared  to  say  to  Sister 
Bourgeois,  that  it  was  useless  for  her  to  \.xy  to 
establish  such  extraordinary  perfection  among  the 
th<"  "isters  as   was  suited  to  herself  alone,  and 


tJiat  being  no  longer  sunerinr   .u 
swerable   before  God  for  h      '    ^  '^'''  "°'  ^n. 
«°ns  of  which  she  co4l^,:ed  'tT'''  ^^'-- 
■"•tinging,  and  to  the  point  '•^«'a'-kwas 

ByTrtSf;ref:r^="°--"°'^-^ed 

-".  and  she  received  it  h'^'  ''"'  ''°^  ''^^v- 
■•ty,  determining  tT'ri  "  '■  ""'"■^"^''  ''"'""■ 
could  disp,ease^he  Wl  e  °lf";^  "V'"'""  '"^^^ 
quote  from  her  manuscript  onth  '""•     ^« 

"  The   members  of  our  r  °'"'''°"  •• 

live  in  the  most  perfect  "n;-^'''^''"'°"  '"'""'^ 
Mrly  Christians  uuder  th  J  '"  ™''''"''°"  "^ '^e 
Virgin.  We  shou  ^haJe  bj^'r ' ''^  ^''^^■^^'^ 
^°"1  in  God.  as  without  th  '""■'  ^""^  ""^ 

^-  ^^  trul,  a  crml!^:^  ^  KoW  1°""' 
that  animates  us  is  a  sr>in>  „f  .  ""■.  "°'y  Spmt 
disengagement  from  a  1  th  n'""''  'i'^ '  P°^<^«>'' 
entire  abandonment  to  Goi/"^"'   '"'   '^<^  '"°^' 


f  li:i 


fit  Si 


S   .^i- 


CHAPTER  XI. 

SISTER    BOURGEOIS*    HAPPY     DEATH,    AND     TUB 
WONDERS  THAT  FOLLOWED   IT. 

The  earthly  mission  of  this  sainted  woman  was 
now  drawing  to  a  close,  and  there  only  remained 
for  her  the  task  of  procuring  ecclesiastical  confirm- 
ation of  the  rules  of  her  institute.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  she  brought  with  her  from 
France  a  formula  of  the  rules  drawn  up  by  M. 
Jandret,  and  also  those  given  her  by  "the  Daugh- 
ters of  the  Cross,"  but  she  had  never  arranged  them 
systematically,  so  as  to  be  able  to  present  them 
in  proper  form  to  M.  de  St.  Vallier,  and  to  speak 
frankly,  he  did  not  appear  to  be  in  a  hurry  to  ap- 
prove of  them,  as  /ns  views  regarding  the  Congre- 
gation were  for  many  years  unsettled  and  waver- 
ing. But  at  last,  the  great  Arbiter  of  all  things 
solved  the  question,  and  his  Lordship  began  to 
feel  a  strong  inclination,  or  rather  inspiration,  to 
inquire  more  particularly  into  the  nature  of  the 
rules,  and  judge  for  himself  if  they  were  suited  to 
the  community.     He  accordingly  examined  the 

178 


1  11  u 


'A^' 


who  were  in  his  confidence    ^  '^''^'^"'^''   P-=ons 
of  the  distinguisl:ed  cxT^Iner    T.T''  '°  "'^'' 
'--  and  „.w,  „f  the  revea^tl'''-'  T^'''- 
aisothe/ram-,„and.««.„„f7u7.  ^"""^J^ss,  as 
>t  then  stood,  were  the'^ea,  t    '^?"?''^'''-"  -s 
rule    underdiscussion       Th/?     '"°'"^°f  '^^ 
Bishop,  in  order  to  have^l         ''  •  "'^    ^°«hy 
with  ^.s  ;deas,  proposed  to   7''  '"  ^"""-dance 
evcT  particular      In  fact  h         "^'  ''  ''"   '--'/ 
observance  the  rule  of  St    a'  ^""^"'"^  ^°'  ">eir 

The  Sisters  were  pani' f  ■'?"'"■"" 
proposition  were  carrfedlT'lr*  '^^^^"^^  'f  '"'^ 
transforn^ed  into  clo  s^ed  rclf  "  "  ""^"°""'  "^ 
desired  to  be  missionary  Se'r^T' "'"'^ ''"^>' 
tend  to  the  out-door  needs  of  t',  °  ""''^  ^'- 
Parishes,  according  to  E '  T  '""Pective 

to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  t„e  '^'"1  "'"'^"^  ^"^^ 
direction  of  the  pastor,      T       ^"°^^'''  ""'^'^  the 
and  the  distinctive  cha:.ctl  istiroVtf '•^^-^'' 
^at,on  as  founded  by  Sister  Bou  "co L  !t ,  "• 
proposed  by  M  de  St    A^n-        .        -'twas next 
should  n,ake  only  sTmoL;'  "'''  "'<=  listers 
madeany  vows  n  oS  \T'  ^"'^^'hey  had  not 
-«//.  .L.   of  wh ir        '"""^"""^-''heterm 
either  the  n  tu re  o     LT'"'  '"  "°'  ""^"^'-"d 

■in^-blocMndinritV-a'^rir"''^^^'-''- 
^ere   many   unsalJshrfo  ^    ^^ ^PPears  there 

P-es  on  th'e  sub-ltSurthrSf'^   ''■■^- 

"b"  tne  oisters  more 


1 80    VENER^iBLE  SISTER  MARGA RET  BO URGEOIS. 


o 


than  once  made  very  humble  remonstrances  t 
the  Bishop,  and  finding  that  the  matter  did  not 
meet  the  prompt  attention  they  thought  it 
deserved,  the  Foundress  determined  to  write  a 
clear  explanation  to  M.  Tron^on,  Superior  of  St. 
Sulpice  in  Paris.  Not  that  she  intended  or  meant 
to  set  aside  the  authority  of  her  Bishop,  for 
whom  she  and  her  daughters  entertained  the 
highest  esteem,  but  to  receive  from  the  dis- 
tinguished Sulpician  advice  as  to  how  she 
should  act  under  such  peculiar  circumstances. 
M.  Tron^on  was  at  the  time  performing  the  du- 
ties of  an  angel  of  peace,  by  the  King's  direction, 
and  at  the  solicitations  of  the  clergy  of  France, 
by  amicably  arranging  the  difificulties  that  had 
arisen  between  the  celebrated  M.  de  Bossuct, 
Bishop  of  Meaux,  and  M.  de  Fenclon,  Archbishop 
of  Cambray.  He  answered  the  communication 
of  Sister  Bourgeois  with  such  sweetness  and 
charity  that  the  hearts  of  the  Sisters  were  com- 
pletely gained,  and  th'^ir  minds  enlightened,  by 
the  care  and  minuteness  with  which  he  explained 
the  disputed  points  that  caused  them  so  much 
disquiet.  They  now  clearly  understood  the 
nature  of  the  engagements  proposed  to  them, 
and  no  longer  experienced  unwillingness  to  enter 
into  the  views  of  their  Bishop,  who  undertook  a 
journey  to  Montreal,  in  June,  1698,  for  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  giving  his  episcopal  sanction  to 
the  long-disputed  rule.     He  admired  the  fervo- 


r.s. 


VHNERAFLK  SISTER  MARGARHT  BOURGl-OlS.    i  §  i 


\CCS   to 

]id  not 
ight    it 
write  a 
)r  of  St. 
)r  meant 

lop,   foi^ 
ncd   the 
the  dis- 
how    she 
iistances. 
g  the  du- 
direction, 
,f  France, 
that  had 
Bossuct, 
rchbishop 
unication 
ness   and 
ere  com- 
itened,  by 
[explained 
so  much 
;tood    the 
to  them, 
,sto  enter 
ertook  a 
.r  the  ex- 
^nction  to 
:he  fervo- 


of  the  new  community,  and  was  exceedingly  edi- 
fied when  he  found  nothing  to  reform  except  a 
mitigation  of  austerities  which  were  still  rigorously 
practised  by  a  great  number.  It  was  during  this 
visit  that  he  witnessod  (for  the  first  time)  the  ex- 
traordinary virtues  of  the  famous  rcculse,  Jane 
Leber.  On  the  24th  of  the  month  he  called  a 
general  assembly  of  the  Congregation,  and  pro- 
posed to  them,  with  a  few  modifications,  the  same 
rules  that  were  till  then  faithfully  observed,  and 
which  Sister  Bourgeois  had  the  honor  to  place  in 
his  hands  more  than  ten  years  before.  The  Sisters 
received  their  cherished  rules  and  constitutions 
with  enthusiasm,  being  now  formally  authorized 
by  their  Bishop,  and  these  rules  are  still  observed 
without  the  slightest  alteration  in  the  form  in 
which  they  were  that  day  presented  to  them,  pro- 
ducing ever-increasing  fruit  and  edification  in  the 
community. 

The  formula  of  acceptance  was  as  follows  :  "We 
accept  with  all  possible  respect  and  submission, 
the  rules  which  have  been  given  us  by  Mon- 
signeur,  the  illustrious  and  Right  Reverend  Bishop 
of  Quebec.  After  having  diligently  read  and  exam- 
ined them,  we  judge  them  to  be  proper  for  the 
welfare  of  our  community,  and  resolve  to  practice 
them  with  all  possible  exactness.  In  virtue  of 
which  acceptance  w^e  hereunto  afifix  our  names,  on 
this  24th  day  of  June,  1698."  Then  follow  the 
signatures  of  Sister  Assumption,  superior.  Sister 


I82 


I  liMiRAniJl SISri'lR  MAKGARr.T BOVRGF.OIS. 


St.  Angc,  assistant,  Sister  Lcmoinc,  mistress  of 
novices,  Margaret  Bourgeois,  and  others  then  as- 
sembled, to  the  number  of  twenty-five  persons. 
It  may  not  be  inappropriate  to  say  a  few  words 
in  explanation  of  the  austerities  that  were  miti- 
gated by  the  wise  prelate,  the  observance  of  which 
he  and  others  considered  too  severe,  and  tlie  non- 
observanee  of  which  the  mortified  and  penitential 
Foundress  regarded  as  a  relaxation.  The  Sisters, 
including  the  saintly  woman  who  founded  them, 
had  accustomed  themselves  to  sleep  on  straw 
mattresses,  \^\\.h.  pillows  of  the  same  material,  to 
wear  none  but  low  shoes ;  to  make  their  simple 
dress  without  plaits,  and  as  scant  as  convenience 
for  working  would  allow;  not  to  be  ashamed  of 
patches,  no  matter  how  numerous  or  inelegant ; 
to  eat  only  broken  bread  ;  in  short  to  live  in  every 
respect  like  the  poorest  classes  of  society.  These, 
and  innumerable  other  practices  of  mortification, 
were  constantly  observed  by  the  greater  part  of 
the  community  from  the  beginning.  But  in  a 
severe  climate  like  Canada,  such  rigors  became 
impossibilities  after  a  time,  and  the  Sisters  were 
obliged  to  mitigate  them,  in  order  to  preserve 
health,  without  which  they  could  not  discharge 
the  arduous  functions  of  their  institute.  It  was 
this  ^tnavoidable  relaxation  that  Sister  Bourgeois 
regarded  as  a  falling  away  from  their  first  fervor. 
She  had  so  long  lived  on  the  heights  of  Calvary 
that  she  could  not  endure  to  breathe  a  less  cruci- 


7/.S'. 

tress  of 
then  as- 
pcrsons. 
\v  words 
ifc  miti- 
)f  which 
the  7ton- 
^nitential 
e  Sisters, 
led  them, 
on  straw 
iterial,  to 
:ir  simple 
iivenicnce 
hamcd  of 
nclccrant ; 
ein  every 
These, 
tification, 
r  part  of 
But  in  a 
[s  became 
ters  were 
preserve 
|discharge 
It  was 
ourgeois 
st  fervor. 
Calvary 
less  cruci- 


V-HNEKABLli  SIS  TER  MARGARET  BUURGEOIS.    j  3  ^ 

ficd  atmosphere;  but  in  her  Congregation,  allow- 
ance had  eventually  to  be  made  for  less  gifted 
souls.  To  return  acrain  to  the  rule.  The  act  of 
profession  of  the  simple  vows  was  made  with  all 
possible  solemnity,  on  the  25th  of  June,  i^^qS, 
and  was  followed  by  a  most  touching  exhortation 
from  Monseigneur,  exhorting  them  to  persevere 
in  the  glorious  work  they  had  undertaken  for  the 
benefit  of  religion,  and  the  salvation  of  souls. 
On  the  1st  of  July  following,  the  Sisters,  in  the 
presence  of  the  Right  Reverend  Bishop,  made  their 
solemn  vows  for  life,  with  as  much  more  solem- 
nity as  the  latter  vows  exceeded  the  former.  All 
the  ceremonies  and  authenticated  acts,  with  the 
illustrious  signatures  attached  to  them,  are  care- 
fully preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  community, 
and  the  flight  of  nearly  two  hundred  years  has 
only  rendered  them  more  sacred  in  the  eyes  of 
the  ever  young  and  vigorous  Congregation  that 
to-day  fills  the  place  of  the  glorious  dead.  Sister 
Bourgeons  was  overwhelmed  with  spiritual  joy 
during  the  touching  ceremonials  at  Montreal, 
that  gave  perpetuity  and  security  to  her  institute. 
With  the  holy  old  man,  Simeon,  she  might  truly 
exclaim,  **Now,  Lord,  let  thy  servant  depart  in 
peace,  because  mine  eyes  have  seen"  the  fulfilment 
of  my  earthly  desires,  viz.,  the  solemn  approbation 
of  her  rules.  She  blessed  God  in  her  inmost 
soul,and  humbly  prostrating  herself  at  the  Bishop's 
feet,  in  presence  of  the  Sisters,  besought  him  with 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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1 84 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


i"  - 


tears  to  grant  her  one  more  favor,  which  was 
to  permit  her  to  pass  the  few  remaining  days  of 
her  life  in  holy  obedience,  entirely  depending  on 
her  Sisters,  and  that  she  might  be  in  future  ex- 
empted from  voting  dX  the  community  elections, 
as  also  from  offices  of  authority.  They  acceded 
unwillingly  to  this  last  request  of  her  unsurpassed 
humility,  but  on  account  of  past  labors,  and  her 
great  age  (she  was  seventy-eight  years  old),  and 
out  of  respect  for  her  extraordinary  virtues,  all 
her  desires  were  complied  with. 

Being  thus  freed  at  last  from  earthly  cares,  she 
became  a  model  of  regular  observance.  She  told 
her  director  that  for  a  long  time  she  had  asked  God 
to  send  her  nothing  but  humiliations  and  suffer- 
ings ;  that  in  His  wrath  He  exempted  her  from 
these  marks  of  His  love,  because,  she  said,  when 
the  occasion  presents  itself,  I  am  proud  and  im- 
inortifiedy  and  I  tremble  at  the  inevitable  approach 
of  eternity. 

She  seemed  to  be  in  pretty  good  health  until 
the  close  of  the  year  1699,  but  on  New  Year's 
eve  a  change  came,  which  proved  to  be  the  warn- 
ing of  the  Angel  of  death.  Sister  St.  Ange,  hav- 
ing been  confined  to  the  infirmary  for  some  time, 
had  just  received  the  last  Sacraments,  and  ap- 
peared to  be  in  her  agony.  The  attendants  ran 
to  arouse  the  community,  that  they  might  assist 
the  dying  religieuse  by  their  prayers,  and  have 
the  consolation  to  witness  the  death  of  the  just. 


rs. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


•85 


h  was 
lays  of 
ling  on 
ire  ex- 
ictions, 
Lcceded 
rpassed 
ind  her 
Id),  and 
tues,  all 

res,  she 
>he  told 
<ed  God 
i  suffer- 
er from 
d,  when 
ind  im- 
proach 

;h  until 
Year's 

le  warn- 
rc,  hav- 
le  time, 
ind  ap- 

Ints  ran 

it  assist 

id  have 

le  just. 


A  messenger  came  to  Sister  Bourgeois'  room 
also,  to  apprise  her  of  the  expected  death  of  her 
old  and  loved  companion.  She  had  ever  loved 
all  her  children  in  God,  with  more  than  a  mother's 
love,  and  cried  out,  *'  My  God,  why  do  you  not 
take  me,  who  am  old  and  useless,  rather  than  this 
dear  Sister,  who  may  yet  render  you  great  ser- 
vice." The  victim  had  offered  herself,  and  her 
sacrifice  was  accepted.  The  Sister  in  her  agony 
recovered,  and  the  venerated  Foundress  fell 
into  a  burning  fever  from  which  she  did  not 
recover. 

The  previous  year  also  she  had  a  very  severe 
attack  of  illness,  from  which  she  recovered  as  if 
by  miracle.  During  her  convalescence,  she  com- 
plained in  a  loving  manner  to  the  Sisters,  that  by 
their  attentions  and  prayers  they  were  prolong- 
ing the  days  of  her  exile,  assuring  them  that  she 
longed  to  be  dissolved  and  be  with  Christ. 
Whether  sick  or  well,  she  was  a  constant  model 
of  the  most  heroic  and  simple  virtues.  The 
great  Apostle  says :  "  That  virtue  is  made  per- 
fect in  infirmity."  And  if  the  Foundress  of  the 
Congregation  did  not  entirely  overcome  the  weak- 
ness of  human  nature,  she  constantly  advanced 
in  the  holy  paths  of  mortification,  obedience, 
sacrifice  of  self,  and  submission  to  the  will  of 
God.  She  suffered  the  most  intense  bodily  pains, 
which  were  at  times  so  sharp  and  violent  that 
she  cried  out  in  agony,  but  she  never  uttered  a 


■y 


W' 


J  g5    VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARK T  BOURGEOIS, 

murmur  or  complaint.  The  attendant  physician 
prescribed  according  to  his  skill,  and  she  took 
his  medic'nes  regularly,  although  she  felt  con- 
vinced that  neither  human  science,  nor  the  affec- 
tionate care  of  the  Sisters  would  be  of  any  avail. 
She  had  a  distinct  presentiment  that  the  hour  of 
her  dissolution  was  at  hand,  and  oh,  what  exul- 
tant joy  that  knowledge  gave  her.  She  blessed 
God  unceasingly  in  the  greatest  pain,  and  sang 
triumphant  canticles  on  he-r  death-bed,  request- 
ing the  Sisters  to  sing  them  with  her,  and  telling 
them  that  the  divine  harmonics  of  the  city  of 
God  were  audible  to  her  at  last.  She  literally 
burned  with  desire  to  go  there,  and  be  at  rest 
forever,  and  the  last  twelve  days  she  spent  on 
earth  in  a  seemingly  unbroken  agony,  were  the 
most  jubilant  of  her  life.  The  dark  clouds  of  life 
were  disappearing,  and  the  silver  lining  of  the 
other  side  was  brightening  the  death-chamber  of 
the  dying  saint.  Yesy  Margaret  Bourgeois,  the 
great  and  the  lowly,  the  victor  and  the  victim, 
literally  thrilled  with  joy  at  the  summons  of  the 
Eternal,  and  answered,  "  I  come." 

On  the  morning  of  the  twelfth  day  of  her  last 
illness,  she  received  the  holy  Viaticum  with  un- 
speakable devotion,  and  immediately  fell  into  a 
gentle  agony,  which  lasted  exactly  three  hours, 
corresponding  to  her  Divine  Redeemer's  agony 
on  the  cross,  then  having  modestly  folded  her 
hands  on  her  bosom,  she  calmly  surrendered  her 


EOIS. 

jhysician 
she  took 
felt  con- 
the  affec- 
iny  avail, 
e  hour  of 
hat  exul- 
e  blessed 
and  sang 
,  request- 
nd  telling 
le  city  of 
e  literally 
be  at  rest 
spent  on 
were  the 
ud3  of  life 
ig  of  the 
amber  of 
eois,  the 
e  victim, 
ns  of  the 

if  her  last 
with  un- 
?11  into  a 

|ee  hours, 
's  agony 

plded  her 
ered  her 


l'Ei\b'RABLB  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS,     j  g^ 

beautiful  soul  into  the  hands  of  its  Creator,  in  the 
eightieth  year  of  her  age,  January  12,  1700. 

She  had  no  sooner  breathed  her  last  sigh,  than 
her  face,  which  had  long  appeared  care-worn  and 
harrowed,  as  much  by  the  mental  sorrows  she 
so  long  and  bravely  endured,  as  by  the  excessive 
pains  of  her  last  illness,  began  to  beam  with  a 
celestial  brightness, which  undoubtedly  announced 
the  beatitude  her  soul  was  enjoying.  Sister  St. 
Ange,  for  whom  the  Foundress  had  offered  her 
life,  and  who  was  then  in  perfect  health,  on  wit- 
nessing the  extraordinary  prodigy,  took  the  name 
of  Sister  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament,  which  had 
been  the  community  appellation  of  Sister  Bour- 
geois during  life. 

The  bereaved  Sisters  desired  to  have  the  por- 
trait of  their  dear  deceased  mother  taken,  before 
the  tomb  received  her  mortal  remains.  She 
looked  very  beautiful  in  death,  so  strangely 
beautiful  that  they  resolved  on  having  the  like- 
ness of  the  glorified  deceased  ever  before  their 
eyes.  The  work  was  confided  to  Pierre  Leber, 
who  was,  however,  but  an  indifferent  artist,  and 
was  father  of  the  celebrated  recluse,  Jane  Leber. 
He  feared  very  much  to  undertake  the  paint- 
ing, but  nevertheless  v/ent  to  the  convent  and 
prepared  himself  by  receiving  Holy  Communion 
in  the  Sisters'  chapel.  Almighty  God  was  pleased 
to  glorify  His  servant  by  a  .y^^t^w^  prodigy  on  this 
occasion,  for  the  painter  had  no  sooner  taken  his 


1 88 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


!       I 


\^^\ 


brush  in  hand,  than  he  was  seized  with  an  ex- 
cruciating  vertigo  and  was  compelled  to  desist. 
Nor  would  it  have  been  possible  for  him  to  re- 
sume, but  that  he  felt  inspired  to  apply  to  his 
head  a  small  portion  of  the  hair  of  the  deceased, 
upon  doing  which  he  was  instantly  cured,  and 
completed  the  picture,  which  is  to  be  seen  still 
in  a  good  state  of  preservation  in  the  convent 

chapd. 

The  news  of  her  death  had  no  sooner  become 
public,  than  people  flocked  from  all  quarters  to 
see  the  remains  of  the  extraordinary  woman, 
whom  not  only  the  voice  of  the  common  people, 
but  also  that  of  the  highest  authorities  in  Mon- 
treal, had  ranked  as  a  public  benefactress.  They 
were  only  prevented  from  invoking  her  as  a  saint 
by  respect  for  the  authority  and  voice  of  the 
Church,  which  had  not  yet  spoken.  An  immense 
concourse  of  people,  from  city  and  country,  came 
to  procure  some  relics  of  her  They  asked  for 
scraps  of  her  clothing,  or  of  anything  she  had  used 
in  life,  and  as  it  was  impossible  to  satisfy  the  de- 
mands of  all,  they  applied  to  her  sacred  body 
medals,  rosaries,  scapulars,  and  such  like  articles 
of  devotion.  Several  miraculous  cures  are  related 
to  have  been  worked  by  the  use  of  these  articles, 
and  though  we  will  not  enter  into  a  detail  of  t'lcm 
here,  it  requires  no  great  effort  of  faith  to  believe 
them.  We  need  only  remember  the  fervor  of  her 
sanctity   during    life,   and    how   often    she  was 


:oJS. 

ti  an  ex- 
o  desist, 
im  to  re- 
ly to  his 
deceased, 
ured,  and 
seen  still 
2  convent 

n*  become 
uarters  to 
y  woman, 
on  people, 
;s  in  Mon- 
ess.     They 
r  as  a  saint 
Ice   of   the 
n  immense 
ntry,  came 
asked  for 
e  had  used 
sfy  the  de- 
cred  body 
|ke  articles 
are  related 
se  articles, 
lail  oft'.em 
to  boHeve 
Irvor  of  her 
she  was 


VES ENABLE  HJ^iTER  MARGARET  BO  URGED JS.   j  go 

herself  favored  by  miraculous  proofs  of  the  love 
of  God. 

The  hour  appointed  for  the  burial  at  last  drew 
near,  and  the  sacred  body  of  this  child  of  peace, 
became  a  subject  of  contention  between  the 
Fathers  of  the  seminary,  and  the  Sisters  of  the 
Congregation,  each  declaring  that  they  were  the 
legitimate  custodians  of  her  precious  remains. 
The  Sisters  desired  naturally  that  the  interment 
should  take  place  in  their  own  chapel.  While 
the  Fathers  of  the  seminary  declared  that,  living 
or  dead,  she  belonged  to  the  city  of  Montreal, 
and  that  they  could  not  permit  the  Ville-Marie 
of  her  love  to  be  deprived  of  such  a  treasure. 
However,  M.  de  Olier,  Grand  Vicar  of  the  diocese, 
decided  the  dispute,  by  ordaining  that  the  body 
should  be  interred  in  the  parish  church,  but  that 
the  Jieart  of  Margaret  Bourgeois  should  be  de. 
posited  in  th'^  Sisters'  sanctuary,  that  its  silent 
presence  might  preserve  in  their  hearts  the  odor 
of  her  virtues,  and  it  appears  that  with  the  recep- 
tion of  the  sacred  relic,  the  Lord  bestowed  on  the 
community  the  spirit  of  their  mother,  which  has 
never  departed  from  them. 

The  heart  of  the  Foundress  of  the  Congrega- 
tion, that  heart  that  had  throbbed  with  a  thou- 
sand hopes  and  fears  for  the  glory  of  God,  and 
the  salvation  of  his  redeemed  children,  lies  en- 
shrined in  a  silver  reliquary  in  the  convent  chapel, 
awaiting  the  resurrection  morning,  when  its  life- 


If! 


190 


VENERABLE  S/6J£/i  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


% 


Kf 


'■■Ml 


pulses  shall  again  return  to  waft  it  to  its  appointed 
place  before  the  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus,  for  whom 
alone  it  lived,  loved,  and  labored,  during  life. 
This  sort  of  divided  burial  was  not  infrequent  in 
Montreal.  For,  in  1693,  on  the  death  of  Jean 
Mance,  the  pious  Foundress  of  the  Hotel-Dieu, 
a  similar  disposition  of  her  remains  took  place, 
her  body  being  interred  under  the  parish  church, 
while  her  heart  was  deposited  with  the  religieuscs 
of  the  hospital  where  it  was  consumed  in  the 
fire  in  1695.  Also  in  1708,  after  the  decease  of 
Pierre  Leber,  one  of  the  first  benefactors  of  the 
general  hospital  of  Montreal,  his  body  was  in- 
terred in  the  hospital  cemetery,  and  his  heart  was 
taken  to  the  Church  of  the  Congregation  Sisters, 
where  his  own  sister,  Jane  Leber,  the  recluse,  was 
still  living.  In  consequence  of  the  decision  of 
M.  de  Oiler,  the  body  of  the  venerable  Sister 
Bourgeois  was  buried  beneath  the  parish  church, 
the  day  following  her  decease,  with  such  religious 
ceremonial  and  solemnity  as  Ville-Marie  had  never 
witnessed  until  that  day. 

There  was  an  immense  funeral  cortege,  among 
the  pall-bearers  being  Chevalier  de  Calli^res, 
Governor-General  of  Canada,  aud  Chevalier  de 
Vaudreuil,  Governor  of  Montreal,  who,  with 
other  persons  of  rank  and  distinction  thought  it 
a  religious  duty  to  assist  at  the  ceremony.  All 
the  priests  and  religieuses  of  the  colony  were 
present  in  the   church   of  Montreal,  and  M.  de 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


191 


Olier,  himself  an  octogenarian,  officiated.  The 
body  was  interred  under  the  entrance  of  the 
chapel  of  the  Infant  Jesus,  commonly  called  the 
Sisters*  chapel,  the  mother  in  life  becoming  the 
mother  also  in  death,  as  her  sepulture  was  truly 
a  taking  possession  of  the  future  burial-place  of 
the  Congregation,  a  deed  of  it  being  given  to 
them  three  days  after,  dated  January  17th,  1700. 
On  the  cofifin-lid  was  placed  the  following  inscrip- 
tion :  **  Here  lies  Venerable  Sister  Bourgeois, 
Foundress  and  first  Superior  of  the  Sisters  of  the 
Congregation  of  Notre  Dame,  established  in  Mon- 
treal for  the  instruction  of  young  girls  ;  who  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  12th  of  January,  1700. 
Requ  iescat  in  pace. 

The  heart  of  Sister  Bourgeois  was  carefully 
embalmed,  and  respectfully  enclosed  in  a  leaden 
box — heart-shaped — having  been  purposely  pre- 
pared to  receive  the  sacred  relic.  It  remained 
publicly  exposed  in  the  convent  chapel  for  one 
month,  during  which  time  the  people  continued 
to  come  in  crowds  to  apply  objects  of  devotion 
to  it,  and  also  to  obtain  small  pieces  of  the  linen 
cloths  ensanguined  by  the  blood  of  the  deceased 
at  the  time  of  taking  the  heart  from  the  body. 
But  these  were  distributed  with  much  reserve. 
At  the  end  of  the  month  it  was  resolved  to  place 
the  precious  deposit  in  the  niche  prepared  for  it, 
this  second  ceremony  being  quite  as  solemn  and 
imposing  as  the  first.     M.  de  Belmont  officiated 


192 


I I-NERABLE  SI3TLR  MA  RCA  RUT  BO  Ua'GL  UI^, 


* 

11 


I  1; 


*l 


on  the  occasion,  and  during  the  requiem  Mas 
the  heart  of  the  deceased  was  exposed  on  .1 
catafalque  in  the  middle  aisle  of  the  church,  be- 
ing covered  by  a  soft  white  veil,  the  emblem  of 
virginity.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  Holy  Sacrifice, 
the  prayers  of  the  dead  were  solemly  chanted, 
while  the  celebrant  carried  the  cherished  relic  in 
his  own  hands  to  its  final  resting  place,  which 
was  a  kind  of  niche,  cut  in  stone,  and  placed  it  in 
the  middle  of  the  long  oriental  panel  of  the  choir, 
where  the  Sisters  usually  assembled  to  perform 
their  religious  exercises. 

There  the  heart  of  one  of  earth's  noblest  and 
purest  daughters  was  deposited,  with  aspcrgings 
and  incense,  after  which  the  opening  was  securely 
closed  with  a  plate  of  lead,  on  which  were  engraven 
the  following  words : — 

"The  heart  that  is  covered  by  this  stone 
Renounced  the  earth  to  live  for  God  alone, 
It  had  no  other  treasure  than  the  band 
Of  Christian  virgins,  who  at  the  command 
Left  home  and  country  for  a  foreign  land."  * 

There  the  precious  relic  rested  secure  until  the 
night  of  April  nth,  1768,  when  both  the  chapel 
and  house  of  the  Sisters  were  consumed  by  fire, 
the  devoted  daughters  of  the  Foundress  finding 
it  impossible  to  save  their  mother's  heart.  But 
who  can  judge  of  their  astonishment  on  the  fol- 


fTbe  above  is  a  free  traoslatioo  of  the  original  French  rhyme. 


liem   Masr 
osed   on   '>■ 
church,  be- 
emblcm  of 
ly  Sacrifice, 
ly  chanted, 
led  relic  in 
>lace,  which 
1  placed  it  in 
of  the  choir, 
to  perform 

noblest  and 
1  aspcrgings 
was  securely 
ere  engraven 


ne, 


'»# 


ire  until  the 
the  chapel 
ed  by  fire, 
ress  finding 
[heart.     But 
on  the  fol- 

|h  rhyme. 


VENERABLE  SIS TER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS.     ]  q j 

lowing  day,  when,  having  come  to  search  for  it 
among  the  debris,  they  found  the  crisped  heart 
in  the  hollow  of  the  stone,  and  saw  drops  of 
fresh  blood  trickling  down  the  wall.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  almost  seventy  years  had  then 
elapsed  since  the  inhumation. 

The  Sisters  being  amazed  at  what  they  had 
reason  to  regard  as  miraculous,  sent  at  once  for 
one  of  the  seminary  Fathers.  M.  Havard,  who 
was  confessor  to  the  community,  answered  the 
call  and  bore  witness  to  the  fact.  He  respect- 
fully gathered  the  sacred  ashes,  and  its  wonder- 
fully preserved  blood,  enclosed  both  in  a  silver 
reliquary,  and  so  it  remains  to  this  day,  an  indis- 
putable evidence  of  the  wonderful  providence 
with  which  God  watches  over  the  children  of  his 
election.  Several  remarkable  cures  are  attrib- 
uted to  the  relics  of  Sister  Bourgeois.  Among 
others  it  is  recorded  that  the  porter  of  the  Sulpi- 
cian  seminary  was  attacked  with  inflammation  of 
the  lungs,  so  suddenly  that  his  life  was  despaired 
of,  and  death  seemed  inevitable.  He  had  applied 
a  rosary  to  the  body  of  the  venerable  religieuse 
on  the  day  of  the  interment,  and  now  laid  the 
rosary  on  his  breast.  The  application  produced 
instant  recovery,  and  robust  health.  A  lady  of 
Ville-Marie,  who  for  many  years  had  sufTered  ex- 
cruciating internal  pains,  without  being  able  to 
obtain  relief  from  the  most  skilful  physicians, 
was  perfectly  cured  on  the  application  of  a  piece 


194 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


of  linen  saturated  with  the  blood  of  Sister  Hour- 
gcois'  heart,  on  the  day  of  the  embalming.  But 
it  will  not  be  necessary  to  enter  more  fully  into 
these  details  here,  than  to  state  that  numerous 
and  undeniable  wonders  have  been  effected  by 
praying  at  her  grave,  as  well  as  by  the  use  of 
her  relics.  Although  these  facts  have  not  as 
yet  been  rigorously  examined,  or  juridically 
proved,  yet  her  beautiful  life  is  a  monumental 
miracle,  and  the  Congregation  she  so  wondrously 
founded  is  still  young,  fresh,  and  strong  after  two 
centennials  that  have  seen  in  their  flight,  fire, 
storm,  and  opposition,  yet  leave  unscr^thed  (as 
indestructible)  the  enduring  labors  of  her  saintly 
life.  If  she  has  not  been  solemnly  canonized  by 
the  Church,  whose  judgment  is  respectfully 
awaited,  she  has  been  proclaimed  Blessed  by  the 
unanimous  voice  of  people  of  all  grades  of  society, 
among  whom  she  lived  and  labored.  Therefore, 
while  awaiting  the  hour  in  which  it  shall  please 
God  to  manifest  her  glory,  let  us  confine  our- 
selves within  the  just  bounds  of  religion,  and 
suspending  judgment,  listen  to  a  few  short  ex- 
tracts from  the  eulogies  that  were  universally 
paid  to  her  memory  by  the  most  distinguished 
persons,  then  living  in  Canada,  who  were  remark- 
able for  high  social  position,  and  eminent  piety, 
and  were  in  some  cases  intimately  acquainted 
with  her. 

Perhaps  no  one  knew  her  worth  or  extraordi* 


EOIS. 

iter  Bour. 
ing.     But 
fully  into 
numerous 
Ffected  by 
:hc  use  of 
^e   not   as 
juridically 
onumental 
vondrously 
g  after  two 
flight,  fire, 
scr.thed  (as 
her  saintly 
nonized  by 
■espectfully 
sed  by  the 
of  society, 
Therefore, 
;hall  please 
lonfine  our- 
ligion,  and 
short  ex- 
|universally 
itinguished 
re  remark- 
ent  piety, 
acquainted 

extraordi' 


VHNHRAHLE  SISTER  MARGAKHT  HOURGEOIS.    j  ^y 

nary  merit  better  than  M.  de  Laval,  who  per- 
mitted her  to  found  and  spread  her  Institute 
in  the  diocese  of  Montreal,  of  which  he  was  the 
first  Bishop.  At  the  time  of  her  decease  he  was 
leading  a  humble,  \\o\y,  private  life  in  the  semi- 
nary of  Quebec,  and  on  hearing  of  her  death, 
wrote  to  the  Sisters  in  the  following  terms: 
**  Sister  Bourgeois  was  indeed  a  precious  fruit, 
ripe  for  heaven.  She  was  a  model  of  edification 
during  life,  and  in  death  serves  for  an  example. 
She  was  very  humble,  and  God  conferred  great 
graces  upon  her,  which  leads  us  to  hope  that  she 
will  soon  enjoy  the  beatitude  of  the  saints,  and 
will,  by  her  intercession,  procure  great  graces  for 
her  community." 

M.  de  St.  Vallier,  on  the  occasion  of  her  death, 
wrote:  "We  cannot  help  believing  that  God 
treated  Sister  Bourgeois  as  one  of  His  dearest  and 
most  faithful  servants,  as  she  was  replenished  with 
a  lively  faith  and  ardent  charily  during  life,  both 
for  God  and  her  neighbor.  I  do  not  doubt  that  she 
is  now  enjoying  the  glory  of  the  Blessed.  But 
what  has  made  the  deepest  impresssion  on  me 
regarding  her,  is  the  hidden  and  humble  life  she 
led  after  her  retirement  from  the  office  of  su- 
perior." 

M.  de  Maizerets,  superior  of  the  seminary  at 
Quebec,  renders  her  the  following  tribute :  "  I 
have  always  recognized  Sister  Bourgeois  as  a  true 
servant  of  God,  being  filled  with  His  spirit,  and 


196 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


excelling  in  the  virtues  of  humility,  meekness, 
obedience  to  her  superiors,  and  an  entire  aban- 
donment to  Divine  Providence.  She  had  a  gen- 
erous heart,  capable  of  great  enterprises,  and  I 
do  not  doubt  that  she  has  left  to  you,  her  daugh- 
ters, her  mind  as  well  as  her  heart.  We  have 
prayed  here  for  the  eternal  repose  of  her  soul, 
and  I  have  also  asked  Jicr  to  pray  for  me'' 

Rev.  Father  Bovart,  superior  of  the  Jesuits  at 
Quebec,  writes  thus:  "  I  do  not  think  that  Sister 
Bourgeois  has  need  of  our  prayers.  I  have  always 
felt  the  greatest  veneration  for  her,  and  request 
you  send  me  one  of  her  relics.  I  do  not  ever  re- 
member to  have  met  so  holy  a  woman,  as  she  pos- 
sessed in  an  eminent  degree  the  virtues  of  faith, 
hope,  devotion,  zeal,  humility,  and  mortification. 
I  esteem  her  happy  in  having  died  full  of  days 
and  merit." 

The  Mother  of  the  Sacred  Heart,  superioress 
of  the  Hotel-Dieu  at  Quebec,  in  response  to  a 
letter  of  the  Congregation  Sisters,  wrote :  "We 
have  not  failed  to  pray  for  your  dear  and  cher- 
ished mother,  lately  deceased,  although  I  am 
persuaded  she  does  not  need  our  prayers," 

The  Mother  of  the  Incarnation,  superioress  of 
the  general  hospital  says  in  a  letter :  "  Sister  Bour- 
geois  was  ripe  for  heaven,  and  earth  has  lost  a  great 
treasure  in  losing  her.  I  pray  you  to  obtain  for 
us,  from  her  Divine  Spouse,  her  love  of  humility, 
poverty,   abjection,   and   abandonment    to  the 


VENERABLE  SIS  TER  MARGARET  BQ URGEOIS.     i  g -r 

decrees  of  Providence,  virtues  that  I  particularly 
remarked  in  her." 

Mme.  de  Champigni,  wife  of  the  Governor 
of  Quebec,  bore  testimony  to  the  virtues  of 
the  deceased  as  follows  :  *'  Perhaps  no  one  feels 
so  afflicted  as  I,  at  the  death  of  Sister  Bourgeois. 
For  you,  her  daughters,  your  consolation  must  be 
great  indeed,  knowing  that  you  have  a  saint 
praying  for  your  community,  in  heaven.  1  shall 
keep  with  religious  respect  the  three  beads  of  her 
rosary  you  were  good  enough  to  send  me." 

But  the  renown  of  her  virtues  was  not  confined 
to  Canada  alone.  There  were  in  France  also  many 
distinguished  persons  who  knew  her  merit,  among 
others  M.  Gabriel  Souart,  who,  as  we  have  seen, 
was  sent  to  Canada  in  1657,  by  M.  Olier,  and  who 
returned  to  France  in  1680,  on  account  of  failing 
health.  This  gentleman  was  an  eye-witness  of 
the  labors  of  the  illustrious  dead,  during  the  first 
struggling  years  of  Montreal,  and  often  spoke  of 
the  wonders  she  accomplished  to  M.  de  Turmdnie 
the  King's  minister.  Once,  during  the  war  be- 
tween France  and  England,  that  raged  so  fiercely 
in  the  year  1688,  these  two  gentlemen  were  con- 
versing on  the  probable  result  of  the  bloody 
struggle.  M.  de  Turm^nie  expressed  his  well- 
grounded  fear  that  Canada  would  eventually  fall 
into  the  hands  of  the  English.  M.  Souart,  on 
the  contrary,  said  he  did  not  fear  the  issue,  as  he 
had    unbounded    confidence    in   God,   and    the 


(»?.. 


198 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


prayers  of  Sister  Bourgeois,  whom  he  familiarly 
styled  the  little  St.  Genevieve  of  Canada,  and 
hoped  through  the  efficacy  of  her  prayers,  that 
no  evil  would  befall  either  the  country  or  the 
Church.  Canada  was  miraculously  preserved 
at  this  time  from  the  bristling  guns  of  a  formid- 
able English  fleet,  as  we  read  in  history.  M. 
de  Turm^nie  wrote  this  conversation  to  the 
holy  Foundress  in  a  letter  dated  Paris,  March 
20th,  1691,  and  concluded  with  the  following  re- 
mark: *^Your  friend  pronounced  these  words  at 
my  house  a  few  days  before  his  death.  I  do  not 
relate  them  to  you  in  order  to  excite  your  vanity, 
from  which  may  God  preserve  you,  but  to 
let  you  know  by  his  last  words,  the  esteem  and 
affection  that  holy  man  had  for  you." 

Nothing  could  be  more  glorious  for  the  de- 
ceased than  the  eulogy  of  such  a  man  as  M.  Souart, 
who  was  a  holy  priest,  and  singularly  enlightened 
in  the  ways  of  God.  Having  been  her  director  for  a 
long  time,  he  bore  ocular  testimony  to  her  truly 
heroic  life.  Sister  Bourgeois  preserved  the  letter, 
because  a  portion  of  it  related  to  the  affairs  of 
the  community,  of  which  the  royal  counsellor 
took  special  charge  in  Paris.  But  she  took  the 
precaution  to  efface  the  portion  relating  to  her- 
self, yet  not  so  perfectly  as  to  prevent  its  being 
deciphered.  Such  were  the  opinions  entertained 
of  her  in  France  during  her  life,  and  as  soon  as 
intelligence  oihftx death  reached  the  wise  and  holy 


I: 


lEOIS. 

familiarly 
nada,  and 
lyers,  that 
try  or  the 
preserved 
'  a  formid- 
story.     M. 
Dn   to    the 
iris,  March 
)llowing  re- 
,e  words  at 
.     I  do  not 
'our  vanity, 
ou,   but   to 
esteem  and 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


199 


persons  who  knew  her  at  Troyes,  Paris,  and  else- 
where, the  most  edifying  and  instructive  letters 
were  sent  to  her  bereaved  daughters,  by  the  first 
vessel  bound  for  Canada.  Among  other  writers* 
names  we  find  that  of  Mother  Mary  Paul  de 
Blaigni,  superioress  of  the  Congregation  at 
Troyes,  which  was  really  the  cradle  of  Sister 
Bourgeois'  sublime  virtues. 


•or  the  de- 
M.Souart, 
miightened 
lirector  for  a 
|o  her  truly 
the  letter, 
affairs  of 
counsellor 
le  took  the 
ing  to  her- 
its  being 
Intertained 
Ls  soon  as 
and  holy 


I* 


CHAPTER  XIL 

THE  EXCELLENCE  OF  HER  INSTITUTE,  HER  MAX- 
IMS,  INSTRUCTIONS,  ETC. 

It  does  not  seem  sufficient  in  recording  the 
life  of  this  remarkable  woman,  to  speak  only  of 
her  public  and  exterior  actions,  leaving  her  inte- 
rior dispositions  and  the  religious  perfection  of 
her  institute  in  the  shade.  The  actions  hitherto 
related  are  beyond  the  power  of  the  greater 
number  either  to  perform  or  imitate,  as  they 
would  also  be  out  of  their  sphere  of  usefulness. 
Therefore,  without  entering  into  her  spirit,  they 
v/ould  only  serve  as  sterile  or  fruitless  objects  of 
admiration.  Accordingiy  we  see  that  not  only 
did  God  ordain  her  to  be  the  mother  of  a  numer- 
ous posterity  of  Christian  virgins,  but  also  their 
teacher  and  their  model.  It  may  be  said  of  Sister 
Bourgeois,  as  of  the  Spouse  in  the  Canticles,  that 
she  spread  abroad  the  odor  of  her  virtues,  in  order 
to  leave  a  sure  route  of  salvation  and  perfection  to 
those  who  would  follow  in  her  train.  Yet,  all  the 
glory  o^  '     king's  daughter  was  within.  There  are 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO  URGEOIS. 


20I 


ER  MAX- 


ding  the 
c  only  of 
her  inte- 
ection  of 
hitherto 
greater 
as  they 
efulness. 
rit,  they 
Ibjects  of 
|not  only 
numer- 
llso  their 
lof  Sister 
:les,  that 
in  order 
action  to 
;t,  all  the 
'here  are 


many  principles  by  which  we  may  judge  of  the  ex- 
cellence and  perfection  of  an  institute  or  congre- 
gation. We  may  consider  it  in  itself,  as  seen  by  the 
rules  that  govern  it,  and  the  sanc*"*ty  and  merits 
of  it«  Foundress.     We  maycompaie  it  with  other 
holy  institutes  to  which  //  may  bear  resemblance. 
Wc  may  regard  the  end  proposed  in  its  establish- 
ment,   and    the    means  by  which  to  attain  that 
end,  or  the  model  on  which  its  members  must  be 
formed.  Finally,  we  may  examine  the  qualities  and 
dispositions   exacted  from   those   who   aspire  to 
perfection  in  it,  and  by  the  application  of  such 
tests  we  can  easily  judge  of  the  excellence  of  the 
Congregation  of  Notre  Dame.  A  careful  perusal  of 
the  rules  complied   by  the  Foundress  will  con- 
vince any  one  that  pru        ce,  charity,  zeal,  and 
the  spirit  of  God  dictaced  them.     But  to  medi- 
tate on  them  with  care,  and  reduce  them  to  con- 
stant practice,  is  the  precious  stone  mentioned  in 
the  gospel,  for  the  purchase  of  which   it  is  neces- 
sary to  sell  all  and  leave  all.     However,  it  must  be 
confessed  that,  as  perfect  as  the  rule  is,  it  does 
not  reflect  all   the   holy  sentiments   with  which 
Sister  Bourgeois  was  animated,  as  she  always  prac- 
tised more  than  she  prescribed  for  others.     When, 
by  a  prudent  and  just  condescension  to  the  weak- 
ness  of   her   children,    the    greater    number    of 
whom,  despite  their  good  will,  were  not  able  to 
practise   the   austerities  her   zeal  recommended, 
it  was  found  necessary  to  soften  this  rigor    the 


^02    ^^^ERA BLE  SIS TER  MARGA  RBT  BO  URGEOIS. 


■i,  ,'in 


ill 


% 


U  '11 


rejection  of  the  old  practices  and  penances  was 
one  of  the  most  severe  trials  of  her  life.  It  was  this 
condescension,  as  well  as  the  consciousness  of  her 
unworthiness,  that  made  her  sigh  to  be  discharged 
from  the  office  of  superior,  and  it  was  only  her 
zeal  for  the  glory  of  God  that  supported  her 
under  the  trial.  Her  own  words  are:  "It 
seems  to  me  that  God  has  made  me  sufficiently 
understand,  by  the  thousand  accidents  that 
happened  from  time  to  time,  as  also  by  the  interior 
warnings  of  divine  grace,  that  he  is  not  satisfied 
with  us,  and  I  confess  that,  through  cowardice, 
I  have  departed  from  the  path  marked  out  for 
me,  by  Mary,  our  dear  Mother,  who  has  been  the 
ever  present,  though  invisible  superior  of  this 
house.  I  do  not  wish  to  abuse  the  patience  of 
God  any  longer,  and  shall  endeavor  that  His  will 
be  accomplished,  no  matter  what  is  the  cost  of  my 
submission."  It  must  not  be  forgotten  that  she  re- 
garded herself  as  the  assistant  of  the  community. 
She  never  lost  sight  of  the  fact  that  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Congregation  was  not  her  work,  and 
that  she  was  only  a  vile  instrument  in  the  hands  of 
God.  She  believed  firmly  that  the  interior  govern- 
ment of  it  would  always  be  under  the  direction  of 
the  Blessed  Virgin.  Neither  had  she  forgotten  the 
divine  favors  she  received  in  youth,  which  were 
foreshadowings  of  what  God  required  from  her 
in  after-life  for  His  gloiy.  She  had  always  pres- 
ent to  her  mind  the  wonderful  chain  of  circum- 


OIS. 

ices  was 
was  this 
ss  of  her 
jcharged 
only  her 
rted  her 
re;    "It 
fficiently 
its    that 
I  interior 
satisfied 
)wardice, 
out  for 
been  the 
of   this 
tience  of 
His  will 
)st  of  my 
at  she  re- 
imunity. 
stablish- 
ork,  and 
ands  of 
govern- 
tion  of 
[tten  the 
ch  were 
om  her 
jys  pres- 
circum- 


VENERABLB  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


203 


stances  that  led  her  to  Canada,  there  to  establish 
devotion  to  the  Queen  of  Heaven,  and  form  young 
hearts  on  that  exalted  model.  She  frequently 
called  to  mind  the  promise  of  protection  the 
Blessed  Virgin  gave  her  before  coming  to  the 
New  World,  of  the  fulfilment  of  which  she  had 
frequent  and  sensible  proofs.  It  is  quite  remark- 
able that,  in  the  writings  left  by  this  humble  and 
admirable  woman,  she  does  not  make  use  of  a 
single  word  that  could  lead  one  to  believe  she 
had  personally  anything  to  do  with  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Congregation,  desiring,  no  doubt,  that 
it  should  be  directly  attributed  to  the  Queen  of 
Angels,  whom  she  wished  to  be  recognized 
as  its  Foundress  and  first  Mother.  She  was  often 
heard  to  declare  that  her  highest  earthly  ambi- 
tion was  to  induce  the  Mother  of  God  to  con- 
duct her  community  on  the  same  plan  that  she 
conducted  the  rising  Church,  after  the  passion  of 
the  Redeemer,  when  she  became  the  common 
Mother,  refuge,  and  consolation  of  the  afflicted 
disciples  and  their  followers.  On  making  a  com- 
parison between  her  institute  and  other  religious 
orders,  she  expresses  herself  as  follows : 

"The  ever  Blessed  Virgin  in  prophetic  spirit 
kneW:  from  the  very  dawn  of  Christianity,  that 
God  would  eventually  establish  communities  in 
His  Church,  to  engage  the  faithful  to  prac- 
tise more  perfectly,  not  only  the  command- 
ments, but  the  evangelical  counsels.     It  appears 


204 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS, 


,« / , 


1 


^\ 


I 


i  i    ! 


!  I 


that  this  good  Mother  has  manifested  her  de- 
signs, and  extended  her  protection  in  a  very 
special  manner,  in  favor  of  the  smallest  and  /cast 
of  all  religious  communities,  viz.,  that  established 
in  Villc-Marie,  which,  in  order  to  maintain  the 
excellence  of  its  origin,  has  gathered  from  other 
religious  institutes  their  most  perfect  maxims." 

Acting  on  this  principle  the  holy  Foundress 
borrowed  from  the  Chartreuse  a  love  of  solitude 
and  silence,  from  St.  Francis  of  Assissi  the  virtue 
of  poverty,  from  St.  Francis  of  Paul  the  love  of 
humility,  from  the  Carmelites  the  practise  of 
penances  and  austerities,  from  St  Francis  de 
Sales  the  exercise  of  sweetness  and  charity  as 
exemplified  in  the  houses  of  the  Visitation,  from 
the  Hospitali^res  devotion  to  the  poor  and  sick, 
and  from  the  noble  order  of  the  Jesuits  zeal  for 
the  salvation  of  souls.  Her  institute  is  remark- 
able for  the  charity  and  zeal  by  which  its  mem- 
bers are  animated,  their  zeal  being  in  a  certain 
sense  the  spirit  of  the  priesthood,  which  is  par 
excellence  the  order  of  Jesus  Christ  himself,  who 
was  the  High  Priest  of  the  New  Law.  The  Sis- 
ters of  the  Congregation  are  bound  to  co-operate 
with  the  pastors  of  the  Church  in  the  discharge 
of  such  duties  of  charity  as  come  within  the 
spirit  of  their  rule,  making,  however,  a  specialty 
of  instructing  youth,  to  which  Sister  Bourgeois 
devoted  all  her  energies  from  girlhood.  Her  zeal 
was   indeed    a   consuming   fire,  for  she   had    no 


OIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


205 


her  de- 
a   very 
md  least 
:ablished 
itain  the 
)iTi  other 
Lxims." 
o'lndress 
solitude 
he  virtue 
e love  of 
actise   of 
rancis  de 
harity  as 
ion,  from 
and  sick, 
zeal  for 
remark- 
its  mem- 
certain 
1  is  par 
elf,  who 
The  Sis- 
operate 
ischarge 
hin    the 
pecialty 
)urgeois 
er  zeal 
had    no 


sooner  learned  that  there  were  pagan  tribes  to 
instruct  and  convert  in  the  New  World,  than  she 
sought  means  to  go  there  to  assist  in  their  con- 
version. 

A  thousand  obstacles  did  not  dishearten  her. 
When  there  were  no  priests  on  board  during  the 
early  voyages,  she  supplied  their  places  as  far  as 
woman  could,  with  the  zeal  of  a  St.  Ambrose, 
frequently  in  her  peculiar  circumstances  praying 
with  the  dying  and  for  the  dead  by  land  and  sea. 
Christian  or  heathen,  French  or  Indian,  were 
alike  to  her;  she  assisted  all,  her  modesty  form- 
ing a  beautiful  rampart  around  her,  that  rendered 
her  person  sacred  in  positions  where  less  divinely 
gifted  women  might  fear  to  stand.  Such  were  the 
particular  and  general  views  of  this  Christian 
heroine  in  the  establishment  of  her  Congregation, 
and  such  was  the  peculiar  character  of  her  institute. 
We  gi\^e  an  extract  from  her  writings  on  the  sub- 
ject: **As  the  devil  is  very  careful  to  take  a  stand, 
and  be  on  the  look-out,  at  the  beginning  of  all 
good  works,  knowing  well  that  a  fervent  commun- 
ity is  capable  of  effecting  much  good,  sometimes 
even  of  arresting  the  anger  of  God,  armed  against 
sinners,  let  us  fear  that  this  arch-enemy,  by  his 
cunning  and  subtlety,  may  not  seek  to  destroy 
our  institute.  Let  us  be  careful  that  he  does  not 
withdraw  from  it  the  spirit  of  piety,  simplicity, 
poverty,  recollection,  and  mortification,  interior 
and  exterior,  in  order  to  introduce,  under  specious 


2o6     VI^NBRABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BO URGEOIS. 


W 
\^^i 


pretexts,  the  inevitable  ruin  of  a  soft,  relaxed  life.** 
To  avoid  so  dreadful  a  misfortune,  behold  the 
means  of  defence  this  gQod  mother  presents  to 
her  daughters : 

"  The  lUesscd  Virgin  desired  to  continue  the 
work  of  God  upon  earth,  and  we  are  pledged  to 
assist  her  by  laboring  for  the  education  of  youth. 
The  Blessed  Virgin  prayed  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  the  prophesies,  and  the  deliverance  of 
the  holy  souls,  who  in  limbo  awaited  the  com- 
ing of  the  Just  One,  and  we  are  bound  to  make 
fervent  prayer  for  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and  the 
souls  in  purgatory.  The  Blessed  Virgin  entered 
the  temple,  at  the  age  of  three  years,  to  perfect 
herself  in  that  school  of  virtue;  the  daughters  of 
the  Congregation,  in  imitation  of  that  act,  con- 
sider themselves  pupils  of  Mary  during  their 
novitiate.  The  Blessed  Virgin  was  abstemious 
and  mortified  in  her.  food,  and  in  all  the  other 
necessaries  of  life;  the  Sisters  should  follow  her 
example  and  mortify  themselves  in  eating,  drink- 
ing, sleeping,  speaking,  and  clothing,  using  noth- 
ing but  what  is  absolutely  necessary,  each  one  at 
the  same  time  consulting  her  strength  and  con- 
stitution. The  angel  of  God  saluted  Mary  while 
she  was  at  prayer ;  the  Sisters  should  pray  fer- 
vently for  the  graces  necessary  to  enable  them  to 
discharge  their  duties  properly,  and  that  among 
their  pupils  Almighty  God  may  sometimes  select 
His  spouses. 


lEOIS. 

axed  life/* 
)chold  the 
•resents  to 

ntinue  the 
pledged  to 
n  of  youth, 
iccomplish- 
ivcrance  of 
d  the  com- 
id  to  make 
lers,  and  the 
gin  entered 
s,  to  perfect 
aughters  of 
at  act,  con- 
uring   their 
abstemious 
1  the  other 
follow  her 
.ting,  drink- 
using  noth- 
leach  one  at 
h  and  con- 
Mary  while 
d  pray  fer- 
jble  them  to 
hat  among 
times  select 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


207 


•'When  the  Blessed  Virgin  had  given  her  con- 
sent to  the  angel,  and  had  really  become  the 
Mother  of  God  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  she  testified  her  gratitude  to  the  Eternal 
Father,  by  promptly  corresponding  to  the  designs 
of  His  grace,  and  went  to  visit  her  cousin  Eliza- 
beth, that  she  might  be  an  instrument  in  the 
sanctification  of  the  precursor,  and  carry  grace 
and  salvation  to  the  house  of  Zachary;  it  is  ne. 
cessary  that  on  the  missions  the  Sisters  propose 
to  themselves  the  sanctification  of  little  children, 
and  give  edification  to  all  classes  of  persons  that 
they  may  be  recognized  as  the  true  daughters 
of  Mary. 

**  When  the  days  were  accomplished  that  sjic 
should  bring  forth  her  Divine  Child,  the  angels 
announced  that  blessed  birth  to  lowly  shepherds, 
as  well  as  to  high-born  kings,  and  the  Blessed 
Virgin  received  with  equal  affection  the  honors 
paid  her  Divine  Son  by  the  humble  herdsman 
and  the  Oriental  sages ;  so  should  the  Sisters 
have  an  equal  regard  for  the  poor  as  well  as  for 
the  rich,  treating  all  alike,  as  the  children  of 
Mary. 

"The  Blessed  Virgin  continued  to  dwell  in  her 
poor  house  at  Nazareth  in  privacy  and  silence, 
until  the  calling  of  the  Apostles,  to  whom  she 
was  a  sort  of  mistress  of  novices  by  the  charm  of 
her  virtues ;  the  Sisters,  before  applying  them- 
selves to  the  instruction  of  externs,  or  the  duties 


''\^'f 


208    *'/!.V/:AM//AA'  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

of  the  schools,  should  prepare  for  it,  by  the  ex- 
ercise of  prayer,  pious  reading,  mortification  of 
the  senses,  and  all  other  virtues  proper  to  their 
state.  The  Blessed  Virgin  followed  her  Divine 
Son  to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  like  a  good  mother 
who  could  not  lose  sight  of  him ;  the  Sisters 
should  always  keep  themselves  as  much  as  pos- 
sible in  the  presence  of  God,  in  imitation  of  their 
glorious  model." 

Although  the  rules  of  religious  institutes  are 
not  intended  for  general  reading,  yet  the  follow- 
ing extracts  are  so  simple  and  practical  that  we 
think  their  translation  excusable: 

"  Hoiv  we  must  bear  with  the  defects  of  our  neigh' 
bor. — I  am  bound  to  believe  that  my  faults  and 
imperfections  are  greater  than  those  of  others, 
and  that  they  have  to  do  violence  to  themselves 
in  order  to  bear  with  my  shortcomings;  therefore 
it  is  my  duty  to  be  patient  with  them,  in  imita- 
tion of  God,  who  is  patient  with  all,  who  supports 
all,  and  endures  all,  notwithstanding  our  many 
defects,  and  the  disproportion  that  exists  between 
us  and  Him. 

"  On  fidelity  in  little  things. — Our  good  God  is 
contented  with  little  virtues,  if  they  are  the  re- 
sult of  our  love  for  Him,  and  he  knows  how  to 
increase  them  in  our  souls  if  they  are  performed 
with  purity  of  intention.  It  is  necessary,  then, 
that  I  try  to  do  everything  for  His  love,  and  for 
that  alone. 


liOIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


209 


y  the  CX- 

kation  of 
r  to  their 
icr  Divine 
)d  mother 
he  Sisters 
ch  as  pos- 
on  of  their 

titutes  are 
the  foUow- 
al  that  we 

}f  our  neigh- 
T  faults  and 
of   others, 
themselves 
therefore 
in  imita- 
o  supports 
our  many 
,ts  between 

lod  God  is 

ire  the  re- 

rs  how  to 

[performed 

;ary,  then, 

^e,  and  for 


"  On  death. — *  It  is  appointed  for  man  once  to 
die,  and  after  that  the  judgment.'  This  thought 
should  oblige  me  to  live  always  in  the  state  in 
which  I  wish  to  be  found  when  the  last  moment 
shall  arrive.  Then,  death  may  come  suddenly, 
but  not  unproindedly.  My  resignation  will  be 
much  easier,  the  thought  of  the  last  hour  sweeter, 
and  the  inevitable  consequences  less  to  be 
feared. 

"(9//  Raillery. — We  sometimes  wish  to  make  our 
conversation  appear  witty,  and  we  succeed,  per- 
haps at  the  expense  of  eJiarity^  by  using  expressions 
of  raillery,  jest,  or  mockery,  without  perceiving 
that  we  give  pain  to  our  neighbor.  A  person 
addicted  to  this  vice  receives  as  much  prejudice 
from  it  as  the  one  who  is  the  object  of  it,  and  a 
frequent  use  of  unkind  raillery  stains  the  bril- 
liancy of  the  baptismal  robe,  which  we  are  bound 
to  bring  unspotted  before  the  judgment-seat  of 
God,  and  loosens  the  bonds  of  charity  that  should 
hold  together  all  Christian  communities. 

''On  respect  in  the  Honse  of  God. — A  church 
where  the  Blessed  Sacrament  is  preserved,  is  the 
place  where  God  most  readily  receives  our  pray- 
ers, and  where  he  has  promised  to  answer  them. 
But  that  promise  is  2l  contract  between  our  Father 
in  heaven  and  ourselves,  for  the  due  performance 
of  which  He  exacts  certain  conditions  on  our 
part.  These  are  chiefly  respect  and  devotion. 
Without   these  conditions  we  pray  in  vain,  as 


2  lo    VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

Cod  will  not  hear  us.  We  lack  respect  for  the 
presence  of  God  when  we  act  with  levity  in 
church,  or  use  indecent  postures,  and  we  lack  de- 
votion when  we  pray  with  precipitation,  without 
attention,  or  in  a  manner  that  indicates  we  have 
only  attended  through  a  meaningless  formality. 
"(9«  Christian  huntility, — It  is  good  for  us  at 
times  to  reflect  on  the  greatness  and  the  lowli^ 
ness  of  the  Virgin  Mother  of  God.  She  was  by 
her  privileges  and  virtues  infinitely  exalted  above 
all  creatures,  yet  far  from  preferring  herself  to 
others,  she  regarded  herself  as  the  last  of  all. 
'The  Lord  hath  regarded  the  humility  of  His 
handmaid.'  We  would  be  both  blind  and  culpa- 
ble if  we  preferred  ourselves  to  any  one,  either 
for  talent,  science,  personal  attraction,  or  any 
other  cause  whatever,  because  self-love  often 
blinds  us,  and  we  do  not  see  ourselves  as  others 

see  us." 

The  omitted  portions  of  her  rule  are  filled  with 
similar  beautiful  sentiments.  But,  as  an  instance 
of  her  peculiar  spirit  of  confidence,  we  quote  the 
following  prayer: 

*'  O  eternal  and  all  powerful  God,  I  have  not 
the  humility  that  I  ought  to  have,  but  my  ex- 
treme  misery  constrains  me  to  acknowledge  that  I 
am  the  most  abject  of  all  your  creatures,  because 
being  tainted  by  original  sin  I  am,  in  a  certain 
sense,  lower  than  the  brute  creation,  and  on  ac 
count  of  my  actual  sins,  I  deserve  to  be  cast  into 


RGEOIS. 


VEN/SNABLE  SIS TER  MARGARET  BO  U RGEOIS.    2  I  I 


)ect  for  the 
h  levity    in 
\  we  lack  de- 
:ion,  without 
ates  we  have 
ss  formality. 
Dod  for  us  at 
nd  the  lowlu 

She  was  by 
exalted  above 
ing  herself  to 
le  last  of  all. 
mility  of  His 
ind  and  culpa- 
ny  one,  either 
ction,  or   any 
,elf-love   often 

Ives  as  others 

are  filled  with 
as  an  instance 
we  quote  the 

,d,  I  have  not 
e,  but  my  ex- 
owledge  that  I 
itures,  because 

,  in  a  certain 
in,  and  on  ac 

o  be  cast  intoj 


hell.  The  confidence  I  desire  to  have  in  prayer, 
but  do  not  possess,  I  expect  from  your  bounty 
and  mercy,  because  you  have  given  your  only 
Son  to  redeem  us  by  His  precious  blood,  and  I 
would  rather  lose  a  thousand  lives  than  fail  to 
believe  the  truth  of  His  words.  Grant  mc  this 
grace,  my  God;  it  is  my  strength  and  my  confi- 
dence. As  to  the  perseverance  I  should  have  in 
prayer,  the  consideration  of  the  many  graces  I 
have  received  from  you  oblige  me  to  testify  my 
gratitude  to  the  last  hour  of  my  life,  and  on 
through  eternity.  For,  if  I  have  the  happiness 
of  being  admitted  after  death  into  the  company 
of  the  blessed,  I  shall  persevere  in  prayer,  if 
you  so  permit,  and  unceasingly  implore  your 
mercy  for  the  community.  I  ask  neither  wealth,  nor 
honors,  nor  pleasures  of  this  life;  I  only  ask  that 
your  holy  will  may  be  fully  accomplished,  and 
that  we  may  follow  the  road  you  have  pointed  out 
to  us,  and  which  the  Blessed  Virgin  herself  has 
so  faithfully  trodden.  I  earnestly  beg  that 
every  member  of  our  community,  and  those  who 
shall  succeed  them,  as  also  those  who  contribute 
to  their  spiritual  advancement,  may  be  of  the 
number  of  the  predestined.  I  believe,  dear  Lord, 
that  my  demand  is  just,  and  I  make  it  in  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of  Mary,  His 
holy  mother,  of  her  glorious  spouse,  St.  Joseph, 
and  of  all  the  blessed  inhabitants  cT  chc  celestial 
court." 


I    t 


212 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


We  will  conclude  this  chapter  by  giving  an 
outline  of  the  funeral  oration  pronounced  by  M. 
de  Belmont,  Superior  of  the  Montreal  seminary, 
at  the  sepulture  of  Sister  Bourgeois'  heart.  The 
orator  took  for  his  text  the  words  of  St.  Paul, 
"  Be  ye  imitators  of  me,  as  I  also  am  of  Jesus 
Christ,"  and  then  reminded  the  Sisters,  that  al- 
though nature  exacts  many  tears  for  the  death 
of  those  we  love,  tears  which  religion  does  not 
condemn,  provided  they  are  kept  within  reason- 
able bounds,  and  sanctified  by  prayer  and  sacri- 
fice, yet  it  was  fitting,  at  the  inhumation  of  the 
heart  of  their  Foundress,  to  terminate  the  duties 
both  of  nature  and  piety  regarding  her  they  all 
equally  mourned. 

"  You  have  lost  her  visible  presence,"  he  said, 
"yet,  being  the  custodians  of  her  heart,  you 
should  revive  within  you  her  spirit,  by  reproduc- 
ing in  your  lives  the  virtues  of  which  she  has 
given  so  many  examples.  It  is  for  this  special 
purpose  God  has  permitted  the  division  of  her 
mortal  remains,  because  He  wills  that  both  her 
heart  and  spirit  shall  be  yotir  treasure,  and  she  was 
never  more  truly  your  superior  and  model,  than 
when    during   life    she   strove    to   imitate   Jesus 

Christ." 

He  made  an  ingenious  allusion  to  her  love  of 
the  cross,  by  comparing  the  virtues  for  which  she 
was  most  remarkable  with  the  emblem  of  man's 
redemption.     "  Her  humility,"  he  said,  "  was  the 


II 


giving  an 

:ed  by  M. 

seminary, 

eart.    The 

St.  Paul, 
n  of  Jesus 
rs,  that  al- 

the  death 
n  does  not 
hin  reason- 
r  and  sacri- 
.tion  of  the 
e  the  duties 
her  they  all 

ce,"  he  said, 
heart,  you 
ly  reproduc- 
ich  she  has 
this  special 
lision  of  her 
at  both  her 
and  she  was 
[model,  than 
itate    Jesus 


her  love  of 
)r  which  she 
!m  of  man's 
Id,  "  was  the 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


213 


foot  of  the  cross,  which  had  a  deep  foundation  in 
the  earth,  and  solidfied  her  other  virtues,  while 
poverty  and  mortification  were  the  arms  of  the 
cross,  and  embraced  a  great  number  of  holy  and 
pious  practices."  He  then  felicitated  the  Sisters  on 
the  glory  of  their  mother,  and  promised  they  sliould 
partake  of  it,  according  to  the  words  of  our  Lord 
addressed  to  His  apostles  before  his  passion ; 
**  You  who  have  remained  with  me  in  my  temp- 
tations," etc.  *'  Even  so  does  your  venerable 
mother  address  you  from  heaven  my  dear  Sisters," 
he  said,  "'you  who  have  been  faithful  to  humil- 
ations,  and  sufferings,  which  is  the  only  heritage 
I  leave  you  on  earth,  be  faithful  to  the  end,  and 
you  shall  partake  of  my  present  glory.'  And  she 
further  addresses  you  in  the  words  of  the  Gospel, 
*I  have  begotten  you  in  Jesus  Christ.'  '  It  is  I,' 
your  departed  mother  continues  to  say,  'who 
have  assembled  you  as  a  company  of  Christian 
Amazons,  ready  to  battle  with  the  enemy  of 
your  salvation,  not  only  in  the  cloister,  but  amid 
the  tumult  of  the  world.'  Labor  faithfully,  there- 
fore, in  your  glorious  vocation,  because  you  are 
the  children  of  a  saint.  Do  honor  to  your 
mother,  walk  in  her  footsteps,  and  perpetuate  her 
earthly  labors.  This  is  an  assured  means  by 
which  to  please  your  celestial  Spouse,  and  parti- 
cipate with  her  in  the  glory  and  merit  of  the 
apostolic  ministry." 

It  was  not  difficult  for  him  to  eulogize  the  cour 


i.:u, 


!! 


214 


VHNERAlUJi  SISTHR  MARGARET  BOUKUHOIS, 


age  of  Sister  Bourgeois,  which  had  certainly  been 
marvcllousj  and  far  above  what  is  common  to 
her  sex,  the  two  wings  that  carried  her  onward 
and  upward  being  faitJi  and  confidence  in  God. 
He  said  her  faith  resembled  that  of  Abraham, 
because  like  him,  she  heard  the  voice  of  God 
saying,  "  Leave  thy  country  and  thy  kindred,  and 
I  will  make  thee  the  mother  of  a  numerous  pos- 
terity, and  of  a  chosen  nation."  Imitating  the 
patriarch  she  did  not  hesitate  a  moment,  but 
came  to  the  New  World,  poor  and  unprotected 
well  knowing  that  He  who  inspired  the  design 
was  powerful  enough  to  give  success  to  the  un- 
dertaking. *'You,  my  dear  Sisters,  are  the  chiM  en 
of  Mary's  faithful  client,"  continued  the  speaker, 
"you  are  the  first  fruits  of  the  new  people  of  God, 
of  whom  she  was  the  spiritual  mother."  He  con- 
cluded his  discourse,  as  he  had  commenced  it, 
by  commending  his  auditors  to  the  care  of  their 
good  mother,  praying  that  she  would  obtain  for 
them  by  her  intercession,  a  love  of  the  Holy 
Cross,  a  great  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  and 
an  unbounded  confidence  in  God,  which  is  the 
source  of  all  true  courage. 

"  Every  time  you  assemble  in  this  place,"  he 
said,  *'  to  perform  your  religious  exercises,  raise 
your  eyes  to  her  heart,  the  sanctuary  of  so  many 
virtues,  and  formerly  the  tabernacle  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Imagine  you  hear  her  addressing  to  you 
these  last  words  of  the  Apostle : 


;/:0/S. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


215 


taiiilybeen 
ommon  to 
ler  onward 
ce  in  God. 
Abraham, 
ice  of  God 
indred,  and 
lerous  pos- 
litating  the 
loment,  but 
nprotected 
the  design 
5  to  the  un- 
the  child  "en 
the  speaker, 
3ple  of  God, 
He  con- 
imenced  it, 
are  of  their 
obtain  for 
the    Holy 
t  souls,  and 
lich  is  the 

place,"  he 

Ircises,  raise 

of  so  many 

(f  the  Holy 

jjing  to  you 


"  My  children,  my  joy,  and  my  crown,  perse- 
vere in  the  spirit  of  fervor,  take  care  to  advance 
in  perfection,  and  procure  the  sanctification  of 
all  confided  to  your  care,  so  that,  having  been  on 
earth  united  by  the  bonds  of  charity,  and  the 
other  virtues  proper  to  our  state,  we  may  not  be 
separated  in  Heaven." 

Such,  as  we  have  given  them  in  this  chapter, 
are  a  few  of  the  pious  maxims  and  admonitions 
by  which  Sister  Bourgeois  endeavored  to  lead 
her  spiritual  daughters  in  the  paths  of  perfection, 
always  proposing  to  them  the  example  of  Mary 
and  inspiring  them  with  the  most  sublime  views 
of  faith,  in  order  to  keep  them  constantly  in  the 
presence  of  God.  But  we  refrain  from  multiply- 
ing extracts,  as  her  spiritual  writings,  maxims,  and 
reflections  would  require  a  separate  volume  to  do 
them  justice,  and  we  earnestly  hope  that  such  a 
volume  maybe  forthcoming  at  no  distant  day,  as 
it  would  prove  a  lasting  benefit  to  any  religious 
community,  so  practical,  so  simple,  and  yet  so 
sublime  are  the  workings  of  Sister  Bourgeois* 
mind,  having  been  directed  and  inspired  by  the 
Holy  Spirit. 


I  i  I 


Mi,  \ 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

A  RECAPITULATION   OF    THE   PRINCIPAL    EVENTS 
OF  THE  LIFE  OF  SISTER  BOURGEOIS. 

On  reading  this  life,  one  cannot  help  being 
struck  with  wonder  and  admiration,  at  the  great 
work  Sister  Bourgeois  undertook  and  accom- 
plished. We  behold  a  simple  country  girl  form- 
ing the  then  astonishing  project  of  going  to 
Canada,  in  the  hope  of  founding  a  city  bearing  the 
nameof  Mary,  there  to  teach  religion  and  morality 
to  persons  of  her  own  sex.  What  seemingly  in- 
surmountable obstacles  presented  themselves  to 
her  view.  She  must  undertake  a  voyage  of  many 
thousand  leagues,  must  traverse  immense  and 
unknown  seas,  must  expect  to  live  in  the  wilds 
of  primeval  forests,  exposed  to  the  fury  of  cruel 
sav/agcs,  who  unceasingly  attacked  the  weak  ram- 
Darts  of  Ville-Marie.     And  what  means  did  she 

A 

possess  to  surmount  these  difficulties?     Had  she 

'  riiiitr     Had  she  any  available  human  support? 

.Va^»  :.he  high-born  or  powerful?     Had  she  wealth 

at  ne«    ^"'iposal?     To  all  these  questions  we  must 

216 


I      I 


VKNERAfiI.E  SISTER  MARGARFT  BOURGEOIS. 


217 


\L    EVENTS 

EOIS. 

help  being 

it  the  great 

and   accom- 

y  girl  form- 

f    going   to 

bearing  the 

d  morality 

emingly  in- 

mselves  to 

t  of  many 

ense   and 

the  wilds 

ry  of  cruel 

weak  ram- 

1ns  did  she 

Had  she 

I  support? 

she  wealth 

s  we  must 


answer,  no.  Her  hopes  of  success  centered  only 
in  an  unbounded  confidence  in  the  providence  of 
God.  Young  Margaret  possessed  the  strength  of 
soul  and  resolution  necessary  for  great  designs, 
the  noble  intrepidity  that  rises  superior  to  danger, 
the  firmness  that  obstacles  cannot  shake,  the  fer- 
tile and  ingenious  mind  always  equal  to  the  occa- 
sion, and  a  sublime  spirit  of  piety  and  devotion 
that  was  useful  everywhere.  While  she  felt  her- 
self in  a  manner  pushed  towards  Canada,  she 
prayed  unceasingly,  consulted  spiritual  directors, 
listened  respectfully  to  the  voice  of  her  superiors, 
and  listened  interiorly  to  the  voice  of  heaven. 
Nothing  could  arrest  or  retard  her  progress,  and 
she  fearlessly  set  out  for  the  new  New  World  that 
claimed  her  zeal.  At  the  age  of  ten  she  gathered 
around  her  little  children  to  form  them  to  virtues. 
At  a  later  period  she  was  to  establish  a  religious 
Congregation  in  the  Church,  whose  members 
should  aspire  to  the  highest  sanctity.  Scarcely 
had  the  vessel  on  which  she  embarked  set  sail,  than 
her  zeal  was  called  into  active  service.  She  in- 
duced the  entire  ship's  crew  to  unite  in  daily 
prayer  and  pious  reading.  Several  soldiers  falling 
sick,  she  nursed  them  with  sisterly  charity,  eight 
of  them  dying  in  her  arms.  Arriving  at  her  des- 
tination, she  finds  no  home  ready  to  receive  her, 
and  takes  up  her  dwelling  in  a  stable,  which  is  for 
her  a  happy  omen,  as  it  resembles  the  stable  of 
Bethlehem.     There  .she  opens  school;  from  thence 


2 1 8    VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGA  RET  nO (  RGEOIS. 


she  daily  departs  to  perform  innumerable  good 
works.  But  the  harvest  ripens  quxckly,  and  the 
laborers  are  few.  Overflowing  with  zeal  she  again 
traverses  the  broad  sea  in  search  of  help,  and 
leads  back  many  generous  volunteers.  Again  she 
returns  to  procure  letters  patent  for  the  consoli- 
dation of  her  establishment.  In  the  court  of  a 
king,  in  the  centre  of  a  camp,  she  solicits  the 
favor  and  obtains  it.  On  returning  to  the  city  of 
her  love,  she  resolves  on  securing  ecclesiastical 
approbation  for  the  rules  of  her  institute,  and  for 
this  purpose  travels  on  foot  through  blinding  snow- 
storms. A  hundred  times  would  she  have  crossed 
the  continent  rather  than  fail  to  accomplish 
the  -will  of  God,  and  her  courageous  zeal  was 
eventually  blessed  by  heaven,  a  crowd  of  de- 
voted young  girls  ranging  themselves  under  her 
standard. 

The  capital  and  provinces  were  alike  eager  to 
obtain  a  foundation  of  her  Sisters,  and  in  a  few 
years  all  Canada  experienced  the  happy  effects  of 
her  institute,  which  for  nearly  two  centuries  has 
not  ceased  to  spread  about  the  odor  of  sanctity 
and  the  knowledge  of  our  holy  religion.  Being  at 
all  times  desirous  to  do  good,  she  established  tem- 
porarily a  House  of  Providence,  for  virtuous 
poor  girls,  where  they  might  be  saved  from  the 
snares  of  a  treacherous  world.  Placing  her  confi- 
dence in  God  more  than  in  man,  she  undertook 
to  build  a  plain,  substantial  house,  to  serve  the 


7E0/S. 

able  good 
/,  and  the 
I  she  again 
help,  and 
Again  she 
,e  consoli- 
:ourt  of  a 
oiicits  the 
the  city  of 
clesiastical 
te,  and  for 
ding  snow- 
Lve  crossed 
iccomplish 
»  zeal  was 
kvd  of  de- 
under  her 

eager  to 
in  a  few 
effects  of 
Ituries  has 
»f  sanctity 
Beingat 
lished  tem- 
virtuous 
from  the 
Iher  confi- 
mdertook 
Iserve  the 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


J  19 


triple   purpose   of   convent,  boarding  and    day- 
school,  and  though  at  the  start  she  had  neither 
money  nor  credit,  the  building  was   completed. 
At  another  time  she  was  inspired  to  build  a  church, 
and  the  church  was  built.     Travelling  in    Paris 
she  was  reduced  to  extreme  poverty,  and  heaven 
sent  a  man  from   the  depth  of  a  Canadian  forest 
to  pay  her  an  almost  forgotten  debt.     An  estab- 
lishment of    her  daughters   was   demanded    for 
Quebec,  and  she  permitted  them,  to  go  and  live 
in  a  stable  pro  tern.,  until  better  accommodations 
were  offered.     The  intended  property  at  Quebec 
having  been  unjustly  contested,  she  relinquished 
her  rights,  and  an  unknown  hand  gave  her  suffi- 
cient money  to  make  a  clear  purchase.     But  not 
only  was  her  confidence  in   God  most   remarkable; 
she   possessed    all    other  virtues   in  an    eminent 
degree.     In  youth  she  made  a  vow  of  chastity, 
and  preserved  that  beautiful  virtue  amidst  many 
dangerous   occasions,    compelling  a   regiment  of 
soldiers  to  respect  her,  although  she  was  frequently 
the  only  woman   on  board.     Yet  of  all  her  per- 
sonal virt".es  none  was  more   extraordinary  than 
*  her  spirit  of  mortification.     She  seemed    to    live 
for  the  express  purpose    of    afflicting   her   body, 
using  her  food  alw&ys  too  hot  or  too  cold,  mixing 
ashes  with  her  drink,  sitting  at  meals  in  a  painful 
position,  sleeping  on  the  bare  earth  with  a  wooden 
plank  for  her  pillow,  and  taking  little   sleep  at 
that.     She  never  approached  the  fire    in    winter, 


m 


220     VENERABLE  SISTIIR  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 

and  frequently  made  use  of  disciplines,  hair-shirts, 
and  a  frightful  crown  of  thorns,  that  she  con- 
cealed on  her  head.  How  truly  she  hated  her 
flesh  such  severe  penances  as  these  prove.  When 
summoned  to  Quebec  by  her  bishop,  she  made 
the  journey  on  foot,  through  ice  and  snow,  often 
wading  across  Canadian  swamps.  When  she 
undertook  a  foundation  she  carried  the  furniture 
on  her  own  shoulders,  saying  with  Solomon:  "  I 
do  not  ask  for  the  community  either  wealth, 
honors,  or  the  pleasures  of  this  life."  Of  her 
holy  resignation  also  we  have  many  striking  in- 
stances. When  all  was  ready  to  build  the  church  of 
Bon  Secours,  knowing  that  nothing  could  be  more 
uesful  to  the  young  colony  than  such  a  work,  and 
that  unnecessary  delays  would  ruin  the  material, 
yet  when  ecclesiastical  superiors  forbade  her  to 
continue,  she  instantly  obeyed,  without  murmur 
or  reply.  The  Bishop  refusing  for  many  years  to  ap- 
prove her  rule,  which  was  nevertheless  an  epitome 
of  divine  wisdom,  she  ceased  importuning,  and 
silently  awaited  the  time  appointed  by  Divine 
Providence.  In  one  short  hour  she  lost  by  fire 
her  convent,  and  everything  it  contained,  the 
bodies  of  two  dear  Sisters  being  consumed  in  the 
flames.  Yet  her  resignation  triumphed  over  fire 
and  death.  For  several  years  she  experienced  the 
most  frightful  interior  desolation,  neither  prayers, 
reflections,  communions,  nor  spiritual  advice  af- 
fording her  the  least  relief.    Yet  in  silent  submis- 


GEOIS. 

hair-shirts, 
t  she  con- 
hated  her 
fQ.     When 
she  made 
now,  often 
^hen    she 
e  furniture 
)lomon:  "  I 
er   wealth, 
"     Of   her 
striking  in- 
e  church  of 
lid  be  more 
[  work,  and 
material, 
de  her  to 
murmur 
ears  to  ap- 
n  epitome 
ning,  and 
)y  Divine 
)st  by  fire 
ined,  the 
cd  in  the 
over  fire 
enced  the 
prayers, 
dvice  af- 
submis- 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOITRGEOIS. 


221 


sion  she  drank  the  chalice  to  the  dregs,  without 
one  atom  of  human  consolation. 

What  afifiict'jd  her  most  during  this  ordeal  was 
not  the  fear  of  hell,  to  which  she  believed  herself 
condemned  ;  no,  it  was  lest  she  should  be  reduced 
to  the  horrible  alternative  of  hating  God,  whom 
she  wished  to  love  in  time,  if  she  could  not  in 
eternity.  Humility  was  another  of  her  charac- 
teristic virtues,  for,  after  she  had  solidly  estab- 
lished her  institute,  and  formed  the  Sisters  in  her 
spirit,  her  chief  desire  was  to  be  exempted  from 
all  honorable  functions  in  the  community,  to  be- 
come the  last  and  least  in  the  holy  obedience. 
They  complied  reluctantly  with  her  desires  in 
such  matters  during  the  remaining  years  of  her 
saintly  life,  but  all  respected  her,  and  remembered 
with  gratitude  how  much  they  owed  her.  She  her- 
self recalled  only  her  sins  and  infidelities.  Such 
shining  virtues  were  the  result  of  her  extraordi- 
nary devotion  to  the  Mother  of  God,  to  whose  ser- 
vice she  had  consecrated  herself  from  childhood, 
and  to  whose  glorified  earthly  actions  she  had 
united  her  own.  Believing  that  Magdalen  and 
Martha  were  the  great  models  of  religious  life,  she 
regarded  Mary  Immaculate  as  their  Mistress,  and 
loved  to  represent  her  instructing  young  virgins, 
and  assisting  to  form  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ. 
She  came  to  Canada  for  the  express  purpose  of 
living  in  a  city  named  after  Mary — Ville-Marie. 
She  called  her  Congregation  Notre  Dame — Our 


222     VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  tiOURGEOIS, 


'i;  I 


Lady — and  wished  that  everything  connected  with 
it  should  bear  the  name  of  Mary,  But  the  Queen 
of  Heaven  did  not  allow  herself  to  be  outdone  in 
generosity.  The  statue  shone  with  celestial  light 
before  the  eyes  of  young  Margaret  at  Troyes. 
On  the  Feast  of  the  Assumption  this  privileged 
soul  saw  in  the  Holy  Host  an  infant  a  thousand 
times  more  beautiful  than  the  children  of  men, 
looking  love  into  her  eyes.  In  a  dream  she  saw 
as  distinctly  as  in  life  one  of  Mary's  most  devoted 
clients,  M.  de  Maisonneuve,  and  finally  the 
Blessed  Virgin  assured  her  personally  of  protec- 
tion by  the  solemn  words,  "Go  to  Canada.  I 
will  never  abandon  you."  If  charity  is  the  queen 
of  virtues,  Sister  Bourgeois  practised  it  to  heroism. 
In  girlhood  she  courageously  put  on  her  father's 
burial-shroud  with  her  own  hands,  which  charita- 
ble ofifice  for  the  poor  became  afterward  a  favor- 
ite duty  of  her  life.  Being  informed  that  a  few 
reckless  libertines  were  leading  off  a  young  girl 
to  make  her  the  victim  of  their  debaucheries,  she 
followed  them  with  a  crucifix  in  her  hands,  and 
despite  their  menaces  to  kill  her,  heroically 
snatched  from  them  their  prey.  A  soldier  once 
being  benumbed  with  cold,  she  gave  him  her  only 
mattress;  another  received  her  bed,  and  two  other 
unfortunates  her  comforters,  her  own  couch  in 
consequence  being  the  cold  ground.  A  Sister 
having  fallen  into  her  agony,  the  holy  Foundress, 
who  was  far  advanced  in  years,  cried  out  to  God  : 


/RGliOJS. 

nnected  with 
jtthc  Queen 
c  outdone  in 
;elestial  light 
t  at  Troyes. 
is  privileged 
:  a  thousand 
Iren  of  men, 
earn  she  saw 
nost  devoted 
finally    the 
7y  of  protec- 
)  Canada.     I 
is  the  queen 
it  to  heroism, 
her  father's 
hich  charita- 
i^ard  a  favor- 
that  a  few 
a  young  girl 
ucheries,  she 
hands,  and 
heroically 
soldier  once 
lim  her  only 
d  two  other 
vn  couch  in 
,     A  Sister 
Foundress, 
ut  to  God : 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


223 


*•  Take  me,  O  Lord,  I  am  old  and  usdess.  This 
young  Sister  may  yet  render  you  great  ser- 
vice." The  noble  sacrifice  was  accepted,  the 
Sister  in  her  agony  recovering,  while  the 
Foundress  was  stricken  unto  death — a  victim  of 
the  most  heroic  charity.  We  need  not  be  aston- 
ished at  the  extraordinary  brightness  of  her  face 
after  death,  nor  at  the  wonderful  cures  effected 
by  touching  her  body,  nor  at  the  red  blood  that 
trickled  from  the  burned  relic  of  her  heart.  All 
is  possible,  all  is  easy  to  charity. 

This  rapid  glance  at  the  life  of  Sister  Bourgeois 
proves  that  the  name  of  so  uncommon  a  woman 
deserves  to  be  bettor  known  in  the  history  of 
the  Church,  because  she  has  been  one  of  its  most 
beautiful  ornaments.  Such  names  as  those  of 
Montcalm,  and  of  Montgomery,  are  of  less  value 
in  the  sight  of  God,  than  the  Christian  heroine's 
title  of  *'  The  St.  Genevieve  of  Canada."  And 
we  may  well  say  of  her  with  the  prophet,  "The 
Lord  is  admirable  in  his  saints."  Mirabilis  Deus 
in  Sanctis  suis. 


CONCLUSION. 


'W 


in 


Besides  what  has  been  related  in  the  preceding 
chapters,  Sister  Bourgeois  wrote  of  several  other 
events,  both  public  and  private,  that  occurred 
some  before  and  some  after  her  arrival  in  Canada. 
We  will  relate  a  few,  in  order  to  give  a  more  cor- 
rect idea  of  the  state  of  things  in  the  isle  of 
Montreal,  when  she  undertook  to  establish  her 
community  there.  She  says,  it  was  then  a  vast, 
impenetrable  forest,  inhabited  only  by  a  great 
number  of  savages,  who  unceasingly  attacked 
the  French  colonists,  to  prevent  their  establish- 
ment in  the  country,  and  as  the  settlers  were 
then  few  in  number,  many  of  them  fell  beneath 
the  bloody  tomahawks  of  the  relentless  Iroquois. 
In  fact  it  was  extremely  difficult  to  induce  any 
one  to  leave  the  mother  country  for  the  New 
World,  knowing  what  their  fate  would  be  when 
they  reached  Ville-Marie,  if  some  moasures  were 
not  taken  to  secure  life  and  property.  The  gen- 
eral depression  was  so  great  that  matters  remained 
unchanged  for  several  years,  during  which  time 

the  colonists  were  literally  at  the  mercy  of  wild 
224 


VENERABLE  SISTER  AfARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


225 


he  preceding 
several  other 
hat  occurred 
^al  in  Canada, 
e  a  more  cor- 
n    the  isle  of 
establish  her 
then  a  vast, 
by  a  great 
gly  attacked 
eir  establish- 
Isettlers  were 
fell  beneath 
ess  Iroquois, 
induce  any 
or   the  New 
uld  be  when 
oasures  were 
The  gen- 
lers  remained 
which  time 
ercy  of  wild 


savages,  to  whom  mercy  was  unknown.    They  lay 
treacherously  concealed  in  the  woods,  and  sallied 
forth   with    hatchet    and    tomahawk    on    their 
murderous    rampage,   when   least    expected,  to 
pillage  and  burn  the  houses  and  then  massacre 
the  inhabitants.     In  those  days  it  was  impossible 
to  labor  singly  in  the  fields.     The  tillers  of  the 
soil  were  obliged  to  work  in  groups,  with  a  gun 
in  one  hand,  and  a  scythe  or  spade  in  the  other, 
often  at  the  peril  of  their  lives.     These  intrepid 
French    Catholics     had     left     peaceful,    happy 
homes,  and  the  blessings  of  a  Christian  govern- 
ment, for  no  other  purpose  than  to  convert  wild 
Indians,  who  were  absolutely  under  the  domin- 
ion of  the  devil,  and  to  spread  abroad  the  glo- 
rious  Faith  over  the   prairies,  and  by  the  lake- 
shores  of   this  vast    continent.     Most   assuredly 
their  names  are  emblazoned  on  the  martyr-roll  of 
heaven.     It  matters  little  if  ungrateful  men  have 
forgotten  them,  and  lauded  the  makers  of  mow- 
ing-machines,  the  inventors  of  steam-boats,  the 
patented  proprietors  of  the  telegraph,  the  torpedo, 
the  needle-gun,   the   steam   engine,  the   sewing- 
machine,  etc.     All  these  things  being  of  the  earth 
earthy,  shall  pass  away;  nay,  may  become  the 
civilized  (?)  instruments  of  driving  the  enlightened 
nations  of  the  nineteenth  century  back  into  de- 
graded barbarism.     Have  we  not  an  undeniable 
[proof  of  this  in  the  uprising  of  the  masses  to- 
day (July,  1877)  in  their  might  and  wrath,  who, 


i-#    •^,'    -i 


^^^ 


226    VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGA RET  BO URGEOIS. 

believing  they  have  been  in  many  instances,  and 
for  long  years,  the  unrequited  starving  tools  of 
unprincipled  un-  Christ-like  christian  masters,  have 
stood  before  the  fiery  breath  of  the  steam-engine 
and  said :  "  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no 
farther;"  have  torn  up  the  iron  railroad  tracks 
of  a  proud  commercial  country,  and  startled 
the  world  by  the  verification  of  Gamaliel's  warn- 
ing: "If  these  things  be   not  of  God,  they  will 

perish." 

The  truth  is  that  the  toil,  devotion  and  blood  of 
the  early  French  settlers  of  Canada  have  produced 
an  imperishable  work  in  the  propagation  of  the 
Faith,  and  the  conversion  of  the  Indians.  In 
Canada  these  poor  people  become  Christian.peace- 
ful,  and  civilized ;  at  least  there  exist  very  few 
exceptions  in  the  country  north  of  the  Great 
Lakes.  And  this  living,  indestructible  monu- 
ment of  the  martyr's  love  is  the  work  of  Catholic 
France,  and  her  noble  sons  and  daughters.  It 
became,  therefore  a  matter  of  necessity  at  the| 
time  either  to  abandon  the  3^oung  colony,  or  toi 
save  it  at  all  hazards.  M  de  Maisonneuve  deter- 
mined on  the  latter  course  for  the  glory  of  God^ 
the  salvation  of  souls,  the  honor  of  France,  anc 
the  love  of  the  Virgin  Mary.  In  1652  he  returnee 
to  his  native  land  for  soldiers  to  garrison  and  pro! 
tect  Ville-Marie,  feeling  confident  that  if  a  suf!i| 
cient  number  could  be  induced  to  volunteer,  th< 
safety  and  prosperity  of  Canada  would  be  securec 


^GEOIS. 

f 

itances,  and 
ing  tools  o£ 
masters,  have 
steam-engine 

go,  and  no 
Alroad  tracks 

and  startled 
maliel's  warn- 
}od,  they  will 

,n  and  blood  of 
have  produced 
agation  of  the 
e  Indians.     In 
Christian.peace- 

cxist  very  few 
of   the   Great 
uctible   monu- 
,rk  of  Catholic 
daughters.    It  I 
iccessity  at  the 
Ig  colony,  or  tol 
jonneuve  deter- 
le  glory  of  Godj 

of  France,  anr 
[652  he  returnee 
rarrison  and  pro] 
It  that  if  a  suffil 
volunteer,  W 

ould  be  securec' 


VENERABLE  SJSTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


227 


This  gentleman  had  himself  frequently  escaped 
the  fury  of  the  savages  miraculously.  On  one 
occasion,  he  was  seized  by  a  party  of  Iroquois, 
who  were  in  the  act  of  choking  him  to  death,  but 
having  by  a  violent  effort  disengaged  himself  mo- 
mentarily from  their  grasp,  he  blew  out  the  brains 
of  the  chief  with  a  pistol  he  fortunately  had  in 
his  possession.  The  sight  of  their  mutilated 
fallen  leader,  and  the  smell  of  gunpowder^  scat- 
tered the  balance  of  the  red  men,  and  set  the 
Governor  free.  Shortly  after  his  departure,  a 
band  of  nearly  two  hundred  Iroquois  presented 
themselves  before  the  little  fort  of  Ville-Marie, 
in  order  to  lay  siege  to  it.  They  knew  before- 
hand that  French  arms  and  gunpowder  were 
rather  formidable  opponents,  especially  if  they 
should  happen  to  meet  another  de  Maisonneuve, 
and,  as  usual,  had  recourse  to  concealment.  They 
formed  their  ambuscade  in  a  ditch  which  they 
dug  on  the  very  ground  that  now  forms  the  gar- 
den of  the  Congregation  convent.  There  they 
lay  hid,  reconnoitering  the  strength  of  the  place, 
and  having  matured  their  plans,  commenced  hurl- 
ing stones  and  shooting  poisoned  arrows  against 
the  fort,  which  contained  only  the  small  number 
of  sixteen  or  seventeen  men  capable  of  bearing 
arms.  This  little  troop,  commanded  by  M.  Closse, 
sustained  the  siege  with  undaunted  bravery.  The 
combat  lasted  an  entire  day,  and  one  after 
another  the  savages  sunk  in  death,  pierced  by  a 


■i>liMIIIHW*«ii-*-wl' 


228     VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


I  \\ 


French  bullet.  The  survivors  went  off  at  night, 
full  of  rage  and  shame,  having  succeeded  in  inflict- 
ing no  other  injury  than  the  firing  of  an  out-house 
belonging  to  M.  d'Ailbout.  During  the  long 
combat,  M.  Closse  lost  only  one  man,  who  was 
killed  by  an  accidental  discharge  of  a  cannon. 

M.  Brisac,  an  officer  of  the  French  army,  was 
not  so  fortunate,  however.  He  had  determined 
to  draw  off  and  attack  a  second  body  of  savages 
who  had  come  to  the  assistance  of  the  first  party, 
butthe  wily  Indians  met  stratagem  by  stratagem, 
and  succedded  in  deceiving  him  on  the  route. 
Seeing  that  they  must  perish,  as  their  enemies 
were  ten  times  as  numerous  as  they,  the  French  re- 
solved to  sell  their  lives  as  dearly  as  possible. 
They  erected  a  circular  barricade  of  stones,  and 
entrenched  themselves  within  it>  firing  at  random 
on  the  furious  savages,  who  howled  for  their 
blood.  The  Iroquois  fought  like  incarnate  de- 
mons, and  every  stone  they  flung  with  unerring 
precision  shattered  a  white  man's  skull.  Like  the 
Spartan  three  hundred,  this  brave  French  band 
determined  not  to  be  taken  alive,  so  the  living 
supplied  the  places  of  their  fallen  comrades 
until  only  five  or  six  men  remained.  But  the  In- 
dians at  last  effected  an  entrance  within  the  bar- 
ricade, and  killed  the  survivors  with  the  most 
horrible  cruelties.  M.  Brisac,  the  brave  com- 
mander, was  reserved  by  the  savages  to  die  last, 
that  they  might  torture  him  at  their  ease,  yeti 


RU£OJS. 

)ff  at  night, 
ed  in  inflict- 
in  out-house 
g    the  long 
in,  who  was 
1  cannon, 
h  army,  was 
determined 
y  of  savages 
le  first  party, 
by  stratagem, 
»n   the  route, 
their  enemies 
the  French  re- 
k   as  possible, 
stones,  and 
ng  at  random 
ed    for  their 
incarnate  de- 
with  unerring 
ull.     Like  the 
French  band 
so   the  living 
len    comrades 
But  the  In- 
ithin  the  bar- 
ith  the  most 
brave  com- 
s  to  die  last, 
cir  ease,  yet  I 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGECIS. 


229 


while  he  was  able  to  speak,  he  never  ceased  ex- 
horting his  men  to  die  like  Christians.  The 
constancy  of  the  devoted  band  astonished  the 
Iroquois,  who  could  not  refrain  from  expressing 
their  admiration  of  the  white  man's  constancy. 
The  death  of  such  heroic  Christians  is  as  much 
to  be  admired  as  that  of  the  early  martyrs,  be- 
cause like  them  they  combatted  and  suffered  for 
religion  and  the  glory  of  God.  Sister  Bourgeois 
relates  that  during  the  first  eight  or  nine  years 
of  the  existence  of  the  colony,  they  could  not 
succeed  in  raising  healthy  children,  all  of  them 
dying  at  a  very  tender  age,  as  much  on  account 
of  the  rigorous  climate,  as  of  the  privations  and 
sufferings  which  were  endured  by  their  mothers, 
who,  being  all  natives  of  sunny  France,  had  en- 
joyed, at  least  in  a  moderate  way,  the  good 
things  of  this  life.  In  Canada,  during  these  early 
days,  they  lacked  nearly  everything,  except  good 
will  and  an  undying  love  of  the  Catholic  Faith, 
bequeathed  to  them  by  their  sainted  forefathers. 
It  may  be  also,  that  Almighty  God  wished  to 
to  take  to  Himself  these  precious  children,  as 
the  first  fruits  of  the  New  World.  The  first  girl 
that  arrived  at  maturity  in  the  country  was  Jane 
Loisel.  She  became  a  pupil  of  Sister  Bourgeois,  to 
whose  care  she  was  confided  at  the  age  of  four, 
and  remained  in  the  Sister's  school  to  her  eigh- 
teenth year,  when  she  married  John  Beauchamp. 
It  appears  that  theirs  was  the  first  Canadian  mar^ 


230 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


:l:H:i 


W': 


riage  in  Montreal.  The  first  boy  who  escaped 
an  early  grave  was  John  Desroches,  and  the  first 
native  of  Montreal  who  consecrated  herself  to 
God  in  the  Congregation  was  Marie  Barbier,  who 
became  Superior  after  Sister  Bourgeois'  resigna- 
tion. She  was  a  very  holy  religieuse,  and  imbibed 
the  spirit  ?A  ./  r  Foundress,  subjecting  herself  to 
such  frightful  penances  that  a  dangerous  cancer 
formed  in  her  body,  of  which,  after  years  of  in- 
tense suffering,  she  was  miraculously  cured.  The 
venerable  Fuah^iress  also  leaves  the  following 
record  of  a  few  ci  .  *e  Indian  girls  she  took  un- 
der her  protection; 

"  In  i6i;5,  a  you'^i^p  X. .  :aois  mother  had  a  little 
girl  about  nine  months  old,  «.v'iich  she  neglected 
shamefully,  and  treated  with  brutal  violence.  I 
endeavored  to  get  the  poor  little  sufferer  from  her, 
in  order  to  raise  it  a  Christian,  M.  Souard  as- 
sisting me  to  secure  it.  So  after  giving  the 
savage  mother  many  presents,  she  at  last  con- 
sented to  place  the  child  in  my  care.  But  as  I 
was  on  the  eve  of  my  first  voyage  back  to  France, 
I  gave  it  in  charge  to  Margaret  Picard  during  my 
absence.  As  soon  as  I  set  sail  the  mother  re- 
tracted, and  tried  in  every  possible  way  to  get  the 
child  back  without  our  knowledge.  Once,  while 
the  little  one  and  her  vigilant  nurse  were  out 
taking  exercise,  the  Iroquois  woman  suddenly  ap- 
peared, and  endeavored  with  violence  to  snatch 
away  the  terrified  infant.      But   she  was   disap- 


RGEOIS. 

ho  escaped 
ind  the  first 
i  herself  to 
Jarbier,  who 
ois*  resigna- 
and  imbibed 
ig  herself  to 
jrous  cancer 
years  of  in- 
cured.   The 
lie  following 
she  took  un- 

er  had  a  little 
[he  neglected 
violence.    I 
srer  from  her, 
Souard  as- 
giving  the 
at  last  con- 
e.    But  as  I 
ck  to  France, 
rd  during  my 
e  mother  re- 
iray  to  get  the 
Once,  while 
se  were   out 
suddenly  ap- 
ce  to  snatch 
e  was   disap- 


VBNERABLE  SIST^.R  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


23! 


pointed;  the  child  clung  convulsively  to  her 
French  mother,  as  she  called  her,  and  the  savage 
departed,  vowing  to  seize  her  another  time,  and 
then  take  revenge  for  the  child's  preference. 
In  order  to  prevent  a  catastrophe,  the  Sisters 
hid  the  child,  and  the  Iroquois  eventually  gave 
up  the  search.  This  little  Indian  was  baptized 
and  named  Mary  when  she  attained  her  fourth 
year,  M.  de  Maiscnneuve  and  Mile.  Closse  being 
her  sponsors.  She  was  the  first  Iroquois  bap- 
tized in  the  colony,  and  died  two  years  after.  I 
also  raised  a  little  Algonquin  girl,  and  an  infant 
Illinois,  but  both  died  at  the  age  of  nine.  We 
received  at  a  later  period,  another  Algonquin, 
aged  nineteen,  who  expressed  an  ardent  desire  to 
live  with  our  Sisters.  She  was  admitted  on  trial, 
and  for  a  long  time  was  faithful  to  all  the  prac' 
tices  of  piety  in  use  among  us.  however  contrary 
they  were  to  her  inclinations,  or  to  her  Indian 
proclivities.  She  died  shortly  after  her  baptism, 
having  given  great  edification  to  the  Sisters. 
One  of  the  first  Canadian  members  of  the  Insti- 
tute, was  an  Iroquois  who  had  been  educated  at 
the  Mission  of  the  Mountain.  She  was  received 
into  the  community  as  soon  as  she  arrived  at  the 
proper  age,  and  died  happily,  after  laboring  twelve 
years  in  the  mission  school  where  she  was  instru- 
mental in  effecting  much  good  among  her  own 
people." 

As  Sister  Bourgeois  took  a  singular  pleasure 


232 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


I     i 


in  recounting  these  Indian  conquests,  we  do  not 
consider  it  out  of  place  to  i evert  to  them  here, 
and  might  add  many  others,  but  will  conclude 
by  relating  a  remarkable  event  that  occurred  in 
her  time.  The  father  of  Mary  Teresa  Gannen- 
sagouach,  who  had  been  admitted  a  member  of 
the  Congregation,  as  was  mentioned  in  the  fourth 
chapter,  became  a  Christian,  and  worshipped  the 
true  God  with  all  the  ardor  of  his  poetic  Indian 
nature.  Many  a  time  did  the  forests  of  the 
island  re-echo  with  his  recitations  of  the  holy 
rosary,  and  he  had  the  happiness  to  see  his  son 
also  follow  his  example,  by  receiving  the  saving 
waters  of  Baptism.  The  graceless  son,  however, 
soon  forgot  his  baptismal  vows,  and  returned  to 
his  former  licentious  mode  of  life.  Falling  in 
with  a  depraved  party  of  his  tribe,  who  had 
taken  the  war-path  against  the  peaceful  Chris- 
tian Indians,  he  assisted  in  a  murderous  attack 
on  his  native  village.  The  fiends  were  unhappily 
successful  in  their  carnival  of  blood,  and  each 
reeking  warrior  selected  his  wretched  victim 
among  the  few  survivors  to  lead  him  off  to  a  dis- 
tant encampment  and  there  torture  him  slowly  to 
death.  Young  Gannensagouach  dragged  his  cap- 
tive through  forest  and  swamp  with  brutal  vio- 
lence; but  at  last  growing  tired  of  listening  to 
the  sufferer's  groans,  commanded  him  to  kneel 
for  his  death-blow.  He  did  so,  and  for  the  first 
time  since  his  capture,  raised  his  eyes  to  the  face 


RGEOIS. 


VENERABLE  SISTER  MARGARET  BOURGEOIS. 


233 


s,  we  do  not 
)  them  here, 
n\\  conclude 
t  occurred  in 
esa  Gannen- 
a  member  of 
in  the  fourth 
)rshipped  the 
Doetic  Indian 
)rests   of   the 
,  of  the  holy 
:o  see  his  son 
ig  the  saving 
son,  however, 
J  returned  to 
e.     Falling  in 
be,  who   had 
aceful  Chris- 
Iderous  attack 
jcre  unhappily 
od,  and  each 
tched    victim 
m  off  to  a  dis< 
him  slowly  to 
agged  his  cap- 
|th  brutal  vio- 
f   listening  to 
him  to  kneel 
d  for  the  first 
es  to  the  face 


of  the  would-be  murderer.  Both  were  paralyzed 
with  horror — for  he  gazed  upon  his  apostate 
son.  "  Father,  forgive  him,  he  knows  not  what 
he  does,"  cried  the  agonized  parent,  and  his 
prayer  was  heard.  The  arm  that  held  the  uplifted 
tomahawk  fell  powerless  by  the  young  man's 
side,  and  from  that  hour  the  apostate  became  a 
penitent.  The  good  old  Indian  died  a  peaceful 
Christian  death,  a  few  years  later,  and  to  this 
day,  a  rude  stone  cross  with  an  appropriate  epi- 
taph, marks  his  last  resting-place. 

May  my  soul  also  die  the  death  of  the  just. 


NOTE. 

Happily,  during  the  interval  that  elapsed  be- 
tween the  writing  and  the  publication  of  this 
book,  the  process  of  canonizing  Venerable  Sister 
Bourgeois  has  been  commenced,  and  splendid  ec- 
clesiastical services  were  held  in  the  spring  of 
1879  i"  the  city  of  Montreal,  in  unison  with  the 
canonical  proceedings.  The  canonization  of  this 
saintly  woman  will  give  to  the  church  in  America, 
a  second  acknowledged  intercessor  in  heaven,  St. 
Rose  of  Lima  being  the  firsty  and  will  procure 
new  triumphs  for  the  Faith  in  "the  land  of  the 
West,"  where  such  triumphs  are  numerous  and 
marvellous.  The  Authoress. 


